rockconcert-850What do a rock band and financial literacy have in common? An entertaining, educational experience.

Heartland Bank, along with the Nebraska Council on Economic Education (NCEE) and Funding the Future, sponsored rock band performances at Fillmore Central High School and Adams Central Junior-Senior High School students attended a live rock performance while learning the importance of financial fitness.

“Partnering with Funding the Future and nationally known musicians has been the most fun and engaging way to bring the important financial literacy message to today’s students. The rock concert catches the students off guard and they are paying attention. Once the musicians establish their cool factor, the financial literacy medicine goes down and students are open to the message,” Jennifer Davidson, president of the NCEE, said.

Fillmore Central High School in Geneva, with students from Shickley and Exeter-Milligan, experienced a performance from GOODING, whose music has been featured on “CSI,” “Criminal Minds,” “Iron Man 2” and “Walk the Line.” Hastings’ Adams Central Junior-Senior High students were entertained by Carter Hulsey and the band Me Like Bees. Hulsey has toured across the country for the last 10 years, including Vans Warped Tour and Bamboozle Road show.

"Some people think rock ’n’ roll and financial literacy don't have much to do with each other, but they actually do," said Gooding, the lead singer of the band GOODING.

These bands shared with students how financial literacy enables them to make their dreams a reality and address the misconceptions they had that impacted them early in their careers.

“These financial principles are things I wasn’t taught in school growing up, and I am thankful and excited to be able to share this message with young people. Playing music is a great avenue to break the ice and then begin a conversation about financial literacy,” said Hulsey.

Heartland Bank is a proud supporter of financial fitness, recognizing understanding finances is the key to creating strong communities and economies.

“We take our responsibility, as bankers, to help the people in our communities understand and manage their finances to secure their futures seriously. Partnering with NCEE and Funding the Future was a great way to do this,” said John Wilkins, CEO/Chairman.

Since the initiative began by the NCEE and Funding the Future in 2015, more than 12,000 students at 22 Nebraska schools experienced these performances.

Jan Stoldorf

Jan Stoldorf is a Vice President at Heartland Bank and serves as the Branch President of the Geneva and Shickley Branch. She has been an associate at Heartland Bank since 2002.

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