Forty-three students at Collinsville High School were honored at a ceremony Wednesday, Feb. 8, as the first students in the state to complete The Bank of Edwardsville's Financial Literacy Program, according to a press release.

The program is collaboration between The Bank of Edwardsville, the Illinois Bankers Association, local public high schools and EverFi Inc.

The idea for the financial literacy program was born out of a new state initiative which began this school year, requiring all incoming public high school students to complete a course on personal finance and economics. The Illinois Bankers Association joined forces with EverFi and its digital education platform, and then asked banks around the state to join in.

Collinsville High teacher Vicki Fuhrhop, who taught the program to the graduates, was instrumental in getting her school involved. She said she pushed the students hard during the weeks of the program, and was extremely proud of how the students responded.

The Bank of Edwardsville Financial Literacy Program is currently being used by 14 public high schools in Madison and St. Clair counties.