Several iterations of the Panther Credit Union (PCU) have existed at Oswego High School since 1996, yet many students may not know about it in its current form.
“Credit unions are different from banks in that the owners are really the members, so we’re a part of this organization that provides banking needs to students,” said Tim Taviani, business teacher and the adviser of the PCU.
The PCU provides opportunities for students to both use its services and to participate in maintaining its operations and reaching out to potential users.
“[We provide] everything from checking accounts to savings accounts, certificate deposits, and even loans,” explained Taviani.
Students who participate in running the PCU function as a small branch of Earthmover Credit Union within the school.
“Part of this whole thing, too, is there’s curriculum involved. Students learn about how to become financially independent, so [senior year is] a really good age to get involved,” said Taviani.
Students who have taken a set of business classes, have an interest in banking and finance, and have good academic standings can interview in their junior year. If accepted, they can participate in running the PCU their senior year.
“We function as pretty much the [bank] teller… so we’re able to deposit money and give people money from their accounts at the school,” said Austin Baumann, OH senior and PCU member.
The main way that students can get involved with the PCU is through the Banking & Finance course.
“You have your basic banking & financing [class] and that’s all year long, and then you have the work portion which is only a semester-long, but it takes up an additional two periods,” said Baumann.
Any juniors that would like to become involved with banking & finance or to participate in the Panther Credit Union in their senior year should contact Taviani at ttaviani@sd308.org for more information.
My name is Austin Lamb and I am a senior at Oswego High School. This is my third year with 42Fifty, and I can't wait to get back into writing and reviewing. I greatly enjoy playing and listening to music, as well as writing. I've always been interested in writing, especially about things that can be critiqued and looked at subjectively. I play the guitar in a band with my friends and primarily listen to metal music but enjoy and appreciate all genres. I hope that my editing abilities, writing knowledge, and leadership skills will pay off for the publications.
This is so cool! I’m glad you wrote a story about something so important not a lot of people know about.