FIDM Fashion Club at Fairport High School Opens Student Run Credit Union

Members of the FIDM Fashion Club at Fairport High School in New York are stepping into the finance world with the first student-run credit union on campus. We recently caught up with the school's FIDM Fashion Club President and credit union founding member Madison Vangellow to learn about promoting financial literacy and what it feels like to garner media attention in the process.

The planning process for the student-run credit union began four years ago as an idea from vice president of Advantage Federal Credit Union, Diane Miller, and business teacher, Regina Nichols. "The business students involved in the FIDM Fashion Club were eager to help launch this new credit union," she said. "Students went around to all of the business classes and educated others about the credit union and encouraged them to open an account." 

Madison, who became president of the FIDM Fashion Club this school year, said it was important to open a credit union on campus to teach fellow students the value of money while providing real-world experience. "With so many high schoolers working part-time jobs, it's a way to put our newly earned money into accounts, and learn how to run our own accounts, along with managing our own money," Madison said.

The credit union, which opened last month, was on the local news and in newspapers. "The media coverage made us feel like celebrities to have our names out in the newspaper or on the news for future employers, community members, and family to see," she added. "It was very nice to be recognized for our efforts." The branch is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. 

Learn more about FIDM Fashion Club at fashionclub.com.