Healthy Lunch

TrailNorth Federal Credit Union celebrated a significant milestone on Tuesday with the official unveiling of its first-ever student branch at Ticonderoga High School. This new initiative aims to provide over 300 students with the opportunity to learn about managing their finances and balancing their budgets.John Lenhart, board chair of TrailNorth Federal Credit Union, expressed his enthusiasm for the venture. “Exciting day for the staff of the credit union. Exciting day for the staff of the school. An exciting day for our students,” Lenhart said.The Essex County-based credit union will now offer Ticonderoga High School students and faculty the chance to open accounts at the student branch. These accounts will allow them to deposit and withdraw money directly on campus. Located next to the school cafeteria, the branch will be staffed by a representative from TrailNorth along with student ambassadors who will gain community service hours for their work.Ian Lender, a junior, highlighted the experience as valuable for his future career prospects. “This is perfect experience. I think if I were to be in an interview, this is definitely something that I would bring up. This would definitely give me the upper hand over someone else,” Lender said.Gracie Patnode, also a junior, expressed her desire to help others by providing students with an opportunity to manage their money. “I just want to help students and open up the opportunity to open an account so they could save money to help for their future,” Patnode said.The student branch aims to teach the next generation the importance of financial literacy and money management. Lenhart emphasized the value of learning how to properly handle money. “Young people need to learn how to use money, how to spend it, how to save it, how to invest it. And it’s important for them to do that, and here’s an opportunity where they wouldn’t have to leave the school for them to do that,” Lenhart said. The branch will have limits for both students and faculty. Students will be allowed to withdraw no more than $50, while faculty members will have a $100 withdrawal limit. The site will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays during lunch periods throughout the school year.