In her next career role she helped people who had fallen behind on their financial obligations and save for retirement. But deep down, she felt she could do more. She wanted to help people before they fell into economic hardship.

Melody realized sound financial decisions are a result of early education. Unfortunately, the majority of the people she encountered did not have that education and were not equipped to make those important decisions. They not only struggled to make ends meet, but often were forced to put dreams and life goals on hold.

In 2005 Melody took a leap of faith. She left her secure job to start Financial Beginnings (FB).The non-profit provides unbiased, personal financial education to young people.

In 2015, the organization reached more than 34,000 youth and adults in Oregon and Washington. FB shares its financial literacy curriculum with 151 schools and 56 community organizations across both states.

Melody didn’t stop there. She revived the Oregon Jump$tart Coalition and took part in creating statewide financial education standards. Today, financial literacy is a Social Science Core Standard in Oregon.

Melody took a chance, rejected the status quo and followed her heart. Now her life reflects her passion for helping and empowering others. She is a Dream Achiever.

What fifth grader doesn’t look forward to a field trip? Even if it means doing some homework before so students will get the most out of the day.

Ask a number of students from Denver elementary schools, and they’ll tell you they don’t mind the extra homework. “I’ve been waiting to do this since second grade,” said an 11-year-old student.

What is he waiting for? The Young AmeriTowne experience and his day in Towne. This unique financial literacy program focuses on educating students early. The kids learn about various topics like supply and demand, job skills, and banking procedures.

Students also learn to give back. They are encouraged to consider donating a percentage of the wages they’ll earn at Towne, to a non-profit of their choice.

Participating fifth grade classes go through a 30-hour curriculum. It prepares them for the day-long trip. They learn about the democratic process as students’ campaign to serve in specific jobs at Towne.

Another student, who won his classroom’s Mayoral election, shared, “It was the most exciting thing we did in school.“

Students arrive for their day at Young AmeriTowne, headquartered at Young Americans Center for Financial Education in Denver. The students-turned-citizens apply the principles they’ve learned in the classroom to operate a 17-business town.

“The students instantly take their jobs seriously and focus on their duties as a Young AmeriTowne citizens,” says Melissa Castro, a teacher at Fulton Academy. “They apply real world scenarios in a way that is meaningful to them.”

“I’ve taught the Young AmeriTowne curriculum to students from two schools with very different demographics, yet the results are the same; an interest in learning and connection to real life,” shared Melissa. “Students who usually take a back seat in the classroom are taking charge and leading others.”

Each year, more than 25,000 fifth grade students visit Young AmeriTowne. As the students’ day in Towne comes to a close and they board the bus, the lessons learned will leave a lasting impression. One day they will be the leaders of our community.

The High School for the Recording Arts (HSRA) aka “Hip Hop High School” in St. Paul, Minnesota lives and breathes this concept. With financial help from State Farm, they know how to motivate students through music. They use music to teach the basics - reading, writing and math - allowing kids to better understand.

It all starts like any other classroom, textbooks and studying. But instead of a test, students take the lessons and write music about it. Students get studio time in the school’s state of the art facility keeping them focused on learning.

HRSA students recently took courses about budgets, credit cards and how to save for the future from the nonprofit, Make a Difference.

The HRSA youth took what they learned and created music to share their knowledge with their peers. The songs not only shared important financial tips, but are a fun, unique way to learn.

Challenging students to channel their passions into something positive can lead to amazing results. Listening to the songs, you wouldn’t guess kids ages 17-21, were the writers, talent and producers. Click here to listen to their tracks.

Make a Difference Wisconsin and Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest plan to weave these songs into their classrooms. These songs will bring new energy to financial literacy classes and events.

“As an organization that teaches kids financial literacy, the songs created by these talented young people bring a freshness and relevancy to this important topic that will help us educate and inspire the next generation,” Ryan Stauff, Vice President of Corporate development from Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest shared.

These students are using their passions to learn important concepts. And their songs are inspiring and engaging other teens with their messages too.