PLATTSBURGH — How to open a bank account, write a check and finance a car — these were among the many basic financial tasks Anna Hewitt-Channell felt underprepared to do when she graduated from Plattsburgh High School a decade ago.
Now, Hewitt-Channell is helping today’s high schoolers in Clinton County learn those real-world skills in money management with the NextGen Ambassadors Council, a new financial literacy program through Dannemora Federal Credit Union that is wrapping up its first year of training with 11 young adults from five local high schools.
Founded by Hewitt-Channell, a marketing manager at the credit union, NextGen gathers the students four times a year for sessions designed to teach financial readiness.
Hewitt-Channell called NextGen her “passion project” and said it aims “to make students feel better equipped for the next steps past high school.”
NextGen complements the credit union’s Live Well program for adults 21 and older, and it serves Clinton County amid a growing need for financial awareness.
A 2025 assessment by the National Association of State Boards of Education found 49% of adults were deemed financially literate. NextGen aims to address the issue by starting with America’s youth.
The two-year program is free to students with an application process that mimics a college application.
Enrolled students, who currently hail from Plattsburgh High, Beekmantown Central School, Saranac High School, Northeastern Clinton Central School and Seton Catholic School, are excused from school four times a year to attend sessions at the credit union’s branch in Plattsburgh.
Upon completion, they receive a letter of recommendation from the credit union’s chief executive officer.
Guest speakers have included Adriana Favreau, director of business development at the North Country Chamber of Commerce, and Clinton County Treasurer Randy Lozier, who discussed the importance of understanding investing at the group’s January session.
Though not required, students on the council are encouraged to open youth accounts. By investing as little as $5, children 18 and under can win prizes like Airpods and bikes by keeping money in their savings account.
In addition, a portion of NextGen is dedicated to educating students on the differences between banks and credit unions.
“Banks’ missions are more tailored towards profiting themselves, where credit unions dump money into the community,” Hewitt-Chanell said.
Saranac senior Mya Marsico said the program fostered her interest in going into a similar career path.
“I already had an interest in the business world before starting, but seeing Anna’s role in the community, as well as listening to multiple guest speakers, has made me more confident with what I will pursue in college,” Marsico said.
Saranac senior Laura Denial recommended the program to upcoming juniors and seniors.
“Once we get to college, a lot of us are basically on our own, away from parents, and it is important to learn how to be independent as a young adult,” Denial said.
NextGen will hold its fourth and final session of the school year June 11.
Applications for rising juniors and seniors open June 1 on the DFCU website.