Toll Gate High School’s 17th Student Financial Education Fair Sponsored by Wave Federal Credit Union

More than 90 students from Toll Gate High School participated in hands-on financial decision-making during the 17th CU 4 Reality™ Financial Education Fair, held on December 18, 2025, at the school in Warwick, Rhode Island. 

The event featured several distinguished guests, including Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore, Ranika Reyes, Financial Education and Constituent Affairs Director of the General Treasurer’s Office, Senator Mark McKenney (District 30), Warwick School Committee members Leah Hazelwood, Vice Chair, and David Testa, and Superintendent of Schools William McCaffrey and other school administrators. Mayor Frank Picozzi presented a proclamation recognizing December 18, 2025, as Toll Gate High School Financial Literacy Day in the City of Warwick.

Sponsored by Wave Federal Credit Union, the CU 4 Reality™ Financial Education Fair is a realistic budgeting simulation that allows students to apply classroom learning by making real-life financial choices based on a selected career and income. Students interacted with local businesses and organizations that included the Community College of Rhode Island, DeGiulio Insurance Group, LLC, Generations Financial Strategies LLC, Premier Home Realty, LLC, Rhode Island Student Loan Authority, Stop & Shop, and others to better understand budgeting, financial planning, and responsible spending.

The CU 4 Reality™ program supports Rhode Island’s financial literacy graduation requirement (RIGL 16-22-13) and reinforces essential personal finance skills that prepare students for future financial independence. The credit union sponsors this program over the course of two semesters in the Warwick Public School District at Toll Gate High School and Pilgrim High School and also at Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick, Rhode Island.