EPHS students get ‘L.I.F.E.’ lessons

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — East Prairie High School held its first L.I.F.E. Fair for juniors and seniors Thursday, Nov. 16 with sessions that allowed them to learn valuable lessons as they prepare for life after high school.

The L.I.F.E., or Lessons Instilled for Future Endeavors, Fair was created by East Prairie High School College and Career Adviser Arisa Coleman, who first thought of the event idea last year.

According to Coleman, the primary goal of the L.I.F.E. Fair is to expose juniors and seniors to financial literacy and soft skills in order to help them become well-rounded individuals who are prepared for both college and other career paths.

“The L.I.F.E. Fair consists of various sessions focusing on financial literacy, budgeting, resume building, career readiness and interview etiquette,” Coleman said.

Juniors and seniors had separate, 45-minute sessions which were from 8:30 a.m. to 11:55 a.m Thursday.

The students participated in several sessions, including financial literacy, resume building/interviewing, headshots for resumes and resource meetings with local agencies.

“The financial literacy session focused on budgeting, how to take out loans, and other things of that nature,” Coleman said. “The other sessions focused on how to prepare a resume and what employees may be looking for in that aspect, along with interview skills, so students can rock any interviews that they may have.”

Coleman said she collaborated with FOCUS Bank, Eagle Closet and other local agencies to make the event a reality. 

“We even had Tim Wagner of the East Prairie school Board and Magen Berry, the East Prairie School District social worker, present for the interview etiquette portion,” Coleman said.

Coleman said she wanted to put on this event for the students because she frequently has conversations with them about these topics, so she felt there was a need for the L.I.F.E. Fair.

“Whether a student is college or workforce bound, everyone can benefit from extra knowledge in life skills,” Coleman said.