United Way of Ellis County
On Thursday, April 17, United Way of Ellis County in partnership with the Pando Initiative, brought a powerful life lesson to 8th graders at Hays Middle School through Reality U—a hands-on, 75-minute personal finance simulation that delivers a dose of real-world experience.
Designed to be both interactive and eye-opening, Reality U challenges students to envision their lives at age 26.
After completing an online lifestyle survey, along with input from their current GPA, each student receives a personalized scenario generated by The Pando Initiative’s trademarked software.
The scenario outlines monthly income, family and marital status, student loan obligations, and credit card debt. Armed with a checkbook register, students visit 12 different booths representing everyday adult expenses—housing, transportation, childcare, insurance, student loan payments, and more.
The goal? To manage their finances and make it through the month without going broke.
Excitement buzzed at the start as students saw thousands of dollars in their hypothetical bank accounts. Dreams of luxury homes and flashy sports cars quickly gave way to the sobering reality of budgeting. As expenses added up, many were forced to reconsider their choices— swapping a dream car for a bus pass or taking on a second job just to make ends meet.
Halfway through the simulation, the mood shifted. Laughter turned to deep concentration as students grappled with tough decisions, learning that adult life is more than just income—it’s about priorities, sacrifice, and smart choices.
Many were surprised at how quickly money disappeared and how much everyday necessities really cost. At the end of the exercise, students felt both relief and accomplishment.
Jacob Bentley, Reality U manager, gathered them to reflect on their experiences. While some shared humorous takeaways, most echoed a newfound appreciation for their parents and the responsibilities of adulthood.
Bentley emphasized the importance of having an “attitude of gratitude” —being thankful for what you have and the support you receive. Volunteers also shared wisdom, urging students to “work hard now, so you don’t have to work so hard later,” “stay involved,” and “keep a positive attitude.”
A heartfelt thank you goes out to our premier sponsor, Sunflower Bank, along with Golden Belt Bank and Nex-Tech Wireless for their generous support.
And to the 60 incredible volunteers who helped run the booths—thank you! Your dedication made this event a huge success.
The United Way of Ellis County is proud to bring Reality U to Ellis County and look forward to continuing this impactful program for years to come.