Junior Achievement Teaches Eighth Graders Financial Literacy

Valparaiso University hosts 'Junior Achievement Town' simulation for Hebron Middle School students

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Hebron Middle School students recently participated in a 'Junior Achievement Town' simulation at Valparaiso University, where they were given mock salaries and budgets to manage. The event, sponsored by the not-for-profit Junior Achievement, aims to teach financial literacy and budgeting skills to young people. Students were guided through decisions about housing, transportation, food, and other expenses by Valparaiso University student volunteers.

Why it matters

With the rising cost of living, it's increasingly important to start teaching budgeting and financial management skills to students at a young age. The Junior Achievement simulation provides a valuable 'dress rehearsal' for students to practice making real-world financial decisions in a low-stakes environment.

The details

During the simulation, Hebron Middle School students were assigned mock careers and salaries, and had to make decisions about housing, transportation, food, and other expenses based on their budgets. Valparaiso University student volunteers staffed various booths to guide the middle schoolers through the process, offering advice and feedback on their spending choices. While the simulated salaries were realistic, the costs of living were lower than real-world expenses, allowing the students to get a sense of budgeting without the full financial pressures they'll face as adults.

  • The Junior Achievement Town event was held on Tuesday, March 4, 2026 at Valparaiso University.

The players

Jake Cox

A student at Hebron Middle School who participated in the Junior Achievement Town simulation.

Cici Wilson

A Valparaiso University finance major who volunteered at the transportation booth to guide students through their budgeting decisions.

Roz Malouhos

The director of the Northwest Indiana Division of Junior Achievement, the non-profit organization that sponsored the event.

Adrian Huizar

A Valparaiso University business management and human resources major who volunteered to help students decide on affordable housing options.

Dan Pastrick

The College and Careers Class teacher at Hebron Middle School, who said the students would be reviewing their budget sheets in class in the coming days.

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What they’re saying

“I'll do the $400 car”

— Jake Cox, Student

“I would recommend getting a less expensive car”

— Cici Wilson, Valparaiso University finance major

“I'm going to have to stay home”

— Kayden Umfleet, Eighth grade student

“I never got to experience this when I was a middle schooler. It's a good eye-opener. A lot of them seemed like they didn't know what to do with the money stuff. They say their parents handle everything.”

— Adrian Huizar, Valparaiso University business management and human resources major

“I don't want to be dining out every single day”

— Zooey White, Eighth grade student

What’s next

The students will be reviewing their budget sheets and the lessons learned from the Junior Achievement Town simulation in their College and Careers Class at Hebron Middle School in the coming days.

The takeaway

The Junior Achievement Town simulation provides a valuable opportunity for middle school students to practice real-world financial decision making in a low-stakes environment, helping to build critical budgeting and money management skills at a young age as the cost of living continues to rise.