Why would an estate planner visit a middle school? Certainly Susan Hines never went to SKY Academy to look for clients among the four classes of eighthgraders— some 125 students—that she met there. Her mission was more elementary.
As a Caldwell vice president and trust officer with a doctorate in law, Susan recognized the value of simplicity in teaching the SKY students. She introduced them to the basics of the stock market and explained how their studies in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) underpin the many complex activities that run the financial operations of the entire world.
With technological assistance from Sheryl Vieira, Caldwell’s marketing manager, Susan used PowerPoint slides and a smart board—an interactive whiteboard—to illustrate real-time workings of the stock exchange.
Students even learned how a movie can affect the stock value of a TV network. When they asked to track ESPN, the popular sports network, the ticker symbol “ESPN” took them to a completely different company. They discovered that the ESPN they sought was listed under “DIS” because Disney had acquired the network in 1996. Because Disney’s new animated film Frozen is a hit, they were able to track increases in the value of the stock. South County Family YMCA operates SKY (“Strength and Knowledge at the YMCA”) Academy, a tuition-free, public charter school for middle-school students.
Susan’s visit is the latest phase of Caldwell’s support. The company has been involved with SKY since its start, with two Caldwell officers on the YMCA board: vice president and trust officer Wendy Fishman, then the YMCA board chair, and R. G. “Kelly” Caldwell Jr., Caldwell’s CEO and president. In 2012, when SKY needed funding to buy computers for students, Caldwell’s board voted to donate $10,000.
Susan found her visit stimulating. “The students had a lot of questions,” she said. “We talked about money management and when they should start saving. They were really positive about the class. It’s encouraging to see young people so engaged in their education and so excited. They were especially interested to learn how the information applied to them.”
To contact Susan, email susan@ctrust.com or phone 941.493.3600.
About Caldwell Trust Company:
Caldwell Trust Company is an independent trust company with offices in Venice and Sarasota, Florida. The company offers a full range of fiduciary services to individuals, including services as trustee, custodian, investment adviser, financial manager and personal representative. Additionally, Caldwell manages 401(k) and 403(b) qualified retirement plans for employers.
