An important part of growing up is seeing reality clearly.

For the third year, Calhoun, Gordon Central and Sonoraville High Schools will participate in Reality Store, a role-playing game that is designed to help freshman develop good decision-making skills as real world adults in February.

Community volunteers —centered in a token community role and setting — each staff the Reality Store, and students must pay bills and general expenses at each volunteer booth.

Trace Vaughn, the Sonoraville High graduation coach and chief organizer, says students confront the harsh realities of adulthood immediately.

“Students come in with a pay stub (based on their chosen career), pay taxes first, pay bills, and they are forced to make decisions at each booth,” Vaughn said.

Students must accept the amount of money they make and then decide how they will spend their money — while being persuaded.

“They deal with real car salesmen who want to put them in a new car and then they deal with real insurance agents,” Vaughn said.

Vaughn said the use of real volunteers, who are professionals in the areas of insurance, daycare and car sales are powerful agents for learning.

“This helps us get the dialogue going and gets them thinking,” Vaughn said.

In the past, students have not received any type of grade, but Vaughn said the day will end with student discussion and teacher evaluation.

All participants are “debriefed,” during which time they share thoughts with their peers and reflect on their expectations of their imagined lives as an adults.

“It’s a great entry point to get students thinking about their careers,” Vaughn said. “Most of them will say at the end of the day say, ‘I can’t believe my parents have to make these decisions.’”

One reality is almost undeniable for most students: money doesn’t grow on trees.

Vaughn hopes that when the long-awaited day comes and the real job arrives, students can handle the responsibilities and manage the discrepancies between imagined life and reality.

The Reality Store:

n A college educational grant will fund the expenses of Reality Store. The event is designed as a career exploration tool.

n Goals of Reality Store — learning skills for goal planning, decision making, attitudes about careers and earning, and improving the quality of life.

n Approximately 70 businesses, 110 volunteers have already offered to help staff the event.

Volunteers are needed for the Reality Store day on Feb. 25. Contact Trace Vaughn by email at tvaughn@gcbe.org or call 706-602-0320.