EL MONTE – Mountain View High School (MVHS) empowered students to take control of their financial futures during its inaugural Financial Literacy Fair on April 10, an interactive event led by the school’s U.S. Bank student interns, which offered hands-on activities and peer-to-peer lessons in recognition of Financial Literacy Month.

Organized by MVHS’ 12 student interns at U.S. Bank, the fair guided students through key financial topics such as budgeting, SMART goals, the 50/30/20 rule, credit cards, and FICO scores. Ten interns presented tri-fold posters with short scripts, engaging students in real-world scenarios and personal finance strategies. Each intern was paired with a U.S. Bank mentor at their station, offering guidance and answering questions throughout the day. The remaining two interns served as emcees, directing attendees to stations and helping the event flow smoothly.

“It’s been incredible to watch our student interns take ownership of this event and confidently share their financial knowledge with their peers,” U.S. Bank Branch Manager Sergio Martinez said. “At U.S. Bank, we believe in empowering young people with the tools they need to succeed, and this partnership with Mountain View is a powerful example of that mission in action.”

Sabina Sanchez, an MVHS senior and one of the U.S. Bank interns, shared her knowledge and presented a poster titled, “The Five C’s of Credit: What Do Lenders Look For?” During her presentation, Sanchez broke down the key concepts of character, capacity, capital, collateral, and conditions, helping her peers understand the importance of building and maintaining strong credit.

“Growing up, my family didn’t have many resources, so it’s always been important to me to learn how to manage and grow my money,” Sanchez said. “This internship has not only helped me prepare for a career in business management, but it’s also taught me how to budget, save, and understand credit. I used to be shy, but now I feel confident, social, and ready for the real world. The program has become a family to me, and I’m so thankful for the growth and support I’ve experienced.”

This year marks MVHS’ debut in the U.S. Bank Student Intern Program’s expanding initiative to bring financial education to campuses through student-led literacy fairs, which were first piloted at a Los Angeles high school.

The U.S. Bank Student Intern Program operates in-school branches at five Title I schools across California, providing seniors with real-world banking experience and leadership opportunities. Interns serve as financial literacy ambassadors, helping peers build confidence and foundational money skills.

With strong student turnout and positive feedback, MVHS hopes to make the Financial Literacy Fair an annual tradition, strengthening its commitment to preparing students for life beyond high school.

“Financial literacy is a critical skill that will benefit our students for years to come,” El Monte Union High School District Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga said. “It’s inspiring to see our student interns take the lead in educating their peers, and we’re grateful for our continued partnership with U.S. Bank in supporting this valuable work.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

EMUHSD_FINANCIAL LITERACY_1: Top row, from left: U.S. Bank Project Manager Sandy Porter, Client Relationship Consultant Karla Mena Escobar, Administrative Assistant Ana Galindo, Branch Manager Sergio Martinez, and Mountain View High School Principal Jose Bañas. Bottom row, from left: student interns Genesis Hernandez Calderon and Sarahi Retana. The group shares a joyful moment in the photo booth during Mountain View High School’s first Financial Literacy Fair, held April 10 and hosted by the school’s U.S. Bank Student Internship Program.

EMUHSD_FINANCIAL LITERACY_2: Mountain View High School senior and U.S. Bank student intern Breyden Phong explains tax brackets and the purpose of W-2 and 1040 tax forms to students during the school’s inaugural Financial Literacy Fair on April 10.

EMUHSD_FINANCIAL LITERACY_3: Mountain View High School senior and U.S. Bank student intern Josue Serna presents information on the importance of FICO scores to fellow students during the school’s inaugural Financial Literacy Fair on April 10.

EMUHSD_FINANCIAL LITERACY_4: Mountain View High School senior and U.S. Bank student intern Sabina Sanchez presents her poster highlighting “The Five C’s of Credit” to fellow peers alongside her mentor and U.S. Bank Recruiter Renata Castillo during the school’s inaugural Financial Literacy Fair on April 10.