Cairo-Durham H.S. Students to Test Their Consumer knowledge at Statewide LifeSmarts Finals

ALBANY, NY (03/23/2011)(readMedia)-- Questions, such as: "You are a 16-year-old employee. Which of the following are you not allowed to do under federal child labor laws? (A) Be a delivery driver; (B) Cook on a grill in a restaurant or (C) Work as a hired farm worker,*" will be answered by Cairo Durham High School students, either as a team, one teammate or in a toss-up format, as they compete against 11 other high school teams (comprised of students in grades 9-12) for the 2011 New York State LifeSmarts Champion. The LifeSmarts finals will take place at Schenectady County Community College in Schenectady, N.Y., on March 30.

LifeSmarts is a free educational program developed by the National Consumers League that develops the consumer and marketplace skills of teenagers in a fun way. With the support of a coach, students form teams of at least five, practice and compete online in five key areas: personal finance; health and safety; environment; technology; and consumer rights and responsibilities, complements any high school curriculum. The New York Credit Union Foundation (NYCUF) has served as the state coordinator for eight years.

"While a fun experience, LifeSmarts is very much a learning vehicle for student participants," said Diane LaVigna-Wixted, executive director of the Foundation. "It's a way for today's youth to glean the knowledge they need in the present and as they face their future as adults."

The 12 finalists, in alphabetical order, and the schools they represent are as follows:

  • Bolivar-Richburg High School, Bolivar (Jamestown)
  • Brentwood High School, Brentwood (LI)
  • Brentwood Freshman Center, Brentwood (LI)
  • Cairo-Durham High School, Cairo (Capital)
  • Churchville Chili High School, Churchville (Rochester)
  • Irondequoit High School (West), Irondequoit (Rochester)
  • Nyack High School, Nyack (Westchester-Rockland)
  • Oneida Herkimer Madison BOCES, New Hartford (Utica-Rome)
  • Pittsford Mendon High School, Pittsford (Rochester)
  • Saranac Lake High School, Saranac Lake (Adirondack)
  • Smithtown High School East, Smithtown (LI)
  • Smithtown High School West, Smithtown (LI)

To make the state finals, each team had to first score well on the online test of questions. The winning team will proceed to the National LifeSmarts Competition in Universal City, Calif., April 30 – May 3.

The Foundation covers team expenses for the national LifeSmarts Competition, including transportation, hotel accommodations and a cash award towards food and beverages.

The New York Credit Union Foundation serves credit unions, schools and community organizations that help improve the financial literacy and independence of New Yorkers and promote the credit union difference. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.nycuf.org.

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* The answer is A.