Andrea Hawkins
Opinions Editor

Money XLive will be coming to Grand Junction on April 14 at Stocker Stadium. This is a high energy concert-like event geared toward helping young adults and teenagers understand and get in control of their finances despite these hard economic times.
The event usually only tours in major cities but Karen Troester, vice president of the Grand Junction US Bank, knew that Grand Junction would embrace the event and began her quest to bring the event here.
“College-aged people,” Troester said, “go into financial survival mode and we want to help them get into financial thriving mode.”
She realized even before the downturn in the economy that children and young adults are growing up in a culture of debt and they are illiterate when it comes to finances. Her idea was to first get people from all different backgrounds in the community to go to schools to give their advice and guidance about finances to children from K-12.
Troester needed help so she contacted Vince Shorb, president of the National Youth Financial Educator’s Council. He also happened to be the CEO of Money XLive, or “Money and Entrepreneurship Edu-trainment.”
Troester thought Money XLive was a great idea, but she could never afford it. She talked to the City of Grand Junction and realized that the venue would be the biggest challenge. The city agreed that Money XLive would be a true community event and donated the use of Sam Suplizio Field for the event. After that the rest was history.
“All the people who are coming have a heart for the youth,” Troester said.
The event features several celebrities who will come share their expertise. They include Wilmer Valderama, “Fez” from “That 70’s Show,” Seth Joyner, Super Bowl champion for the Broncos, Malcolm McCassy, star of MTV Made; and Taryn Manning, singer-songwriter, actress, and fashion designer.
“This is a true community event and no one company is getting recognition,” Troester said.
The school district, the city, the county are all in support of Money Xlive.
All who buy tickets and come to the event will have the opportunity to participate in a 10 day challenge for free. This challenge is one of many aspects of the event that will help young adults become financially literate. People who like it will be able to participate in a 16 week challenge for free.
Any money made will go back into the community.
Tickets for Money XLive are on sale now for $12. They can be purchased on www.moneyxlive.com or any US Bank location. Doors open on April 17 at 4 p.m.
u
apitchfo@mesastate.edu