Living smart financially can have a profound impact on one’s life, and the ability to make good decisions at an early age is critical to future success. Just ask Anthony ONeal, who battled his way out of serious debt as a young adult and now tours the country advising other youth to learn from his mistakes.
ONeal will bring his message of hope and perseverance to Carroll High School students in Fort Wayne on Sept. 16. ONeal travels the country as a motivational speaker and representative of Ramsey Solutions, the company founded by Dave Ramsey, New York Times best-selling author and nationally syndicated radio show host
He pairs his life experiences with the proven financial planning methods of Ramsey to formulate a powerful message that resonates with young people. ONeal will share his story to more than 2,000 students at Carroll High School during three separate sessions on Sept. 16. Media Note: Media is invited to the 10:25 a.m. session on Sept. 16. Crews planning to attend should RSVP at david.hosick, check in at the school office (Door #1) by 10 a.m. and ask for Assistant Principal Tanya Pickett.
At age 19, ONeal was deep in debt, short on hope and had no direction in his life. He credits a life-changing encounter with helping him turn his life around. He since has committed himself to helping youth find their passions and to mentoring them to make smart financial decisions.
His presentation is titled “Is it that Serious?” ONeal’s message will focus on education, financial literacy and the need to apply good decision making to prevent others from facing the consequences he faced in his life, he said.
“Through the Ramsey program, we teach our kids to make responsible decisions and be wise with their money,” Pickett said. “The message from Anthony will be all about making positive choices and being a positive and contributing member of the community.”
Carroll High School is one of about two dozen high schools in the Fort Wayne area that utilizes Dave Ramsey’s Foundations in Personal Finance. Through a partnership with Fifth Third Bank, the program has been implemented in more than 2,000 schools nationwide and provided financial literacy to more than 600,000 students. The course teaches children how to budget, save, spend wisely and build wealth so they can live generously.
