Bixby High School Wins CareerTech LifeSmarts Financial Literacy Game

Press Release

FROM: Ann Houston,Communications and Marketing
Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education
1500 W. Seventh Ave., Stillwater, OK 74074
Phone: 405-743-5112 Fax: 405-743-5541 Cell: 405-742-6838
e-mail:ahous@okcareertech.org

Just how financially literate are Oklahoma high school students?

To find the answer, teams of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America from across the state were pitted, for the third year, against one another in the game of LifeSmarts. Bixby High School emerged the winner at the game played Feb. 4 at the Oklahoma Department of CareerTech in Stillwater.

LifeSmarts is an educational program for high school students that tests contestants’ knowledge of consumer issues including personal finance, technology, the environment, consumer rights and responsibilities and health and safety. Nationally, FCCLA sponsors the LifeSmarts program. FCCLA is the student organization affiliated with CareerTech’s Family and Consumer Sciences Education program.

“Bixby High School was one of the top seven high school finalists from a field of 35 that competed in the online elimination round of LifeSmarts,” said Denise Morris, FCCLA state adviser.

The season began with an Internet competition where students competed for top scores online and worked to make it to the state competition. The top seven teams in the state then competed in Stillwater for the championship.

Other competing high school teams were from Chisholm-Enid, Cushing, Fairview, Indianola, Ponca City and Porter.

“Oklahoma FCCLA is pleased to be a part of this exciting program,” Morris said. “The LifeSmarts program is a great way for students to learn about important real world issues. In fact, we wish all adults had the knowledge these students gain when they participate in LifeSmarts.”

In April, Bixby High School will compete with teams from across the country at the National LifeSmarts competition in Minneapolis.

Champion teams from across the country travel to represent their states at nationals, where students, coaches and state coordinators meet sister teams, sightsee, experience days of intense competition, enjoy networking opportunities and walk away with an array of valuable prizes.

Posted February 4, 2008