Debbie Ababa (12) spent her summer learning about economics. She attended the Hawaii Council Economic Education program, a six-week program held at Maryknoll High School. Any student may sign up for this program but it costs $600 per student and has an application process. Whoever signs up earlier has a higher chance of getting in since they go by first come, first serve. Ababa was lucky enough to get a scholarship from HCEE. Ababa got to go on a field trip at least once a week. These field trips helped her get an idea of economic companies and how they work. She toured a $6-million-dollar home located on Black Point. She also hiked the Board of Water Supply trail that is exclusive from the public. Ababa went to businesses in downtown to visit tax people, with names such as E. Abuc and Morgan Stanley Smith. Lastly, she visited the Hawaiian Host factory and got free chocolate. After going through many experiences Ababa said that any company, small or big, has the same way of realizing their ideas The program provides life changing knowledge on the way Ababa looks at things.

After taking this course, “I realized that I like economics… I got a broader knowledge on financial concepts,” Ababa said.

She has only been in the Academy of Finance for two years and, after attending this program, she decided that finance was what she wanted to do for the future.