Tennessee State Senator Bo Watson, Hamilton County School District CTE Director David Cowan, SouthEast Bank, and educators from Tyner Academy on Wednesday honored over 140 graduates from the SouthEast Bank Financial Scholars Program, a financial education course designed to empower young people with the skills needed to make sound financial decisions. SouthEast Bank has partnered with education technology company EverFi, Inc., to make the interactive, web-based financial management program available free-of-charge to all Hamilton County schools.

“Hamilton County Schools strive to create well-rounded students in all aspects of life, inside and outside the classroom,” said Mr. Cowan. “The SouthEast Bank Financial Scholars Program ensures that our students are better prepared for the future and the financial challenges it will bring.” 

Students at Tyner Academy were recognized Wednesday for their work in completing the program. The events included remarks from Tennessee State Senator and Speaker Pro Tempore Bo Watson, Mr. Cowan, Tyner Academy Principal Carol Gross, SouthEast Bank President and COO Monty Montgomery, and student representatives who completed the SouthEast Bank Financial Scholars Program at Tyner Academy. 

“SouthEast Bank is committed to positively impacting the communities we serve,” said Mr. Montgomery. “This is why we are so proud to sponsor EverFi and their innovative financial literacy education program for schools like Tyner Academy and across Tennessee.”

SouthEast Bank has partnered with EverFi, Inc. to bring the program to local students at no cost to the schools or the taxpayer. The web-based program uses media technology – simulations, avatars, gaming and adaptive-pathing – to bring complex financial concepts to life for today’s digital generation. The high school course offers over six hours of programming with 10 units in a variety of financial topics including credit scores, insurance, credit cards, student loans, mortgages, taxes, stocks, savings, 401k’s and other critical concepts that map to national financial literacy standards. The platform tracks the progress and performance of every student and provides students who successfully complete the course with Certification in Financial Literacy, a mark of distinction on college applications and resumes.  

“It is more important than ever to arm Tennessee students with the skills to make sound financial decisions,” said State Senator Watson. “We are grateful for these public private partnerships that enable us to bring these important resources to schools in our district.”