WHITEFISH, MT (February 15, 2013) – Whitefish High School students are getting an early start in the world of finance after being selected to serve on Whitefish Credit Union’s junior board of directors (J-BOD).
The Credit Union’s J-BOD program, now in its second year, aims to promote financial education by giving the students a first-hand look into the inner workings of a credit union. The seven students selected by Whitefish Credit Union mirror the seven-member “senior” board of directors. As members of J-BOD they will observe the Credit Union’s board meetings, write articles for its newsletter, and cap their experience by executing a community service project, said Sue Schenck, Whitefish Credit Union’s business development director.
“With this program we can work toward our Credit Union goals of financial education and community outreach at the same time,” said Schenck. “All of us at Whitefish Credit Union are so excited to welcome our newest junior board of directors into the Credit Union family. We expect great things from them. Last year’s group set the bar pretty high and we anticipate nothing less from this group.”
Returning from last year’s J-BOD are Whitefish High School seniors Perrey Sobba, Rachelle Brown and Kelsey McFeeley. New to this year’s J-BOD are juniors Sloan Ellis, Tommy Murphy, Nathan Boone and Caroline Carbo.
Senior Perrey Sobba, 17, was a member of last year’s J-BOD, whose community service project took the form of a week-long healthy living and fitness program for Whitefish Middle School fifth and sixth graders. Sobba is a member of Feat by Feet, Montana’s only performing tap dance company. After high school she plans to enroll in a pre-med program and pursue her dream of becoming a plastic surgeon.
“As a returning member of the J-BOD, I am honored and excited to be chosen again,” said Sobba. “Last year was a wonderful experience. I learned so much and truly enjoyed the service project we were able to put on. We accomplished so much last year that I just hope this year lives up to all the expectations.”
Caroline Carbo, 16, is a newcomer to the junior board. She names her 4.0 GPA and participation in National Honor Society as her greatest scholastic achievements to date. She’s not sure which career path she’d like to follow after high school, but is currently leaning toward something in the field of business.
“Being selected for the J-BOD is quite an honor, since this is only the second year. I know it will be a wonderful learning experience with some really great people,” said Carbo. “I hope to experience valuable life lessons that can be used in my future, as well as creating new relationships with all of my peers and mentors. But overall I hope I am able to leave a positive impact on my community through volunteer work and junior board activities.”
Schenck said she expects the junior board members to actively participate in meetings where the students will practice Robert’s Rules of Order. Whitefish Credit Union J-BOD organizers will arrange guest speakers from the local world of finance to discuss real-world issues during the meetings. The junior board of directors will continue meeting monthly until the end of the school year.
About Whitefish Credit Union:
Whitefish Credit Union is a respected leader in the financial services industry. State chartered in 1934, it has gone on to become the largest credit union in Montana with more than $1 billion in assets. Today, the Whitefish Credit Union manages six branches throughout the state, which serve the financial cooperative’s more than 50,000 members.