Wave Federal Credit Union held its 13th annual CU 4 Reality™ Financial Education Fair Wednesday, Dec. 13 at the Toll Gate High School cafeteria. The fair, during which students draft a monthly budget expense plan after meeting with corporate representatives stationed around the room, is the first of four WAVE has planned for Warwick students this year. “When we started off it was 75 students and it has grown to 750,” said David Dupere, WAVE President and CEO. Fairs at Pilgrim High School are planned for January and March, then in the spring it will return to Toll Gate. The credit union’s commitment is greater than a morning event. As WAVE assistant vice president Marie Morrell explained, she as well as others on the credit union team meet with the financial literacy classes taught by Darilyn Gorton and Bill Aquilante. They talked about careers, savings, checking accounts, electronic banking and budgeting. In welcoming remarks, Toll Gate Principal Candace Calouri and School Superintendent Lynn Dambruch thanked WAVE and spoke of the practical value of the fair, with Calouri telling students there will come a time when mom and dad won’t be there to “throw you a twenty.” Warwick Senator Mark McKenney made the same point telling of a law professor who reminded his class that the cases they study are not like the RW (the real word.) “A course like this is going to help you in the RW,” he said. (Warwick Beacon photos)