Volunteer Linda Zarkowsky, who spends most of her time these days as Baldwin County’s finance director, manned the “Back To School” table for the Chamber’s JMA Reality Check — and could easily tell anyone how well the students react, having also assisted with a Reality Check held at Baldwin High School in August.

“I think it’s a good way for the students to learn how life really works, and what they’ve got ahead of them,” Zarkowsky said.

Cole Breiner, 16, hopefully learned that lesson when he was caught off guard by family-related needs.

“I’m single, have one child that’s two years old, and working as an emergency medical technician, but I still had to get another job. Daycare costs a lot. I’ve got to go get a babysitter instead,” Deariso said. “Then I have to go get groceries, and I’m only making $1,746 a month.”

Classmate Garr Ett, 16, shared Deariso’s pain as he worked out his own financial future.

“I’m doing good, but I could be better. I have a wife that doesn’t work and a six-year-old kid. I’ve got two jobs. I’m working as a carpenter by day, and at Checkers burgers at night,” Ett said.

Though Ett’s two jobs were able to keep his simulated paycheck in positive figures, it was still an eye-opener for the JMA junior, according to Rick Umberger, a Georgia Power employee who volunteered at the “Realville Realty” table.

“Some have had to come back and make different decisions once money runs out. It seems like overall that they’re making good decisions,” Umberger said.