Stanhope Elmore students open first on-campus bank to serve school community

Amanda Pevey

Elmore Autauga News

For the first time, students at Stanhope Elmore High School will be able to walk into a real bank, right on their campus.

At the end of March 2026, the school will open its first on-campus branch called Mustang Branch, giving students hands-on experience in the financial world while sharing space with the school’s snack shack, the Mustang Trough.

Handmade posters will be displayed around campus with more information about the new branch.

The branch will be run by four hand-selected juniors and seniors who completed the foundations of a finance course taught by Emma Constant and are also members of the school’s Future Business Leaders of America chapter. During an interactive lab, under the supervision of a bank employee, the students will handle deposits and cash checks.

“Mrs. Constant does an outstanding job teaching finance,” said Joyce Evans, senior success coordinator for First Community Bank in Millbrook. “We’re bringing it to life for them by giving students the opportunity to work in a real branch, processing transactions, handling deposits and credits, for those with existing accounts.”

Constant has spent years working to bring an in-school bank branch to campus, aiming to give her students firsthand experience in the day-to-day operations of a financial institution.

“This has been 10 years in the making, and this is finally our year to have a true lab experience,” Constant said. “When we talk about finance, we want to make it more school-to-work and help our students transition into careers. There are so many opportunities in finance, and working at a bank is one of the most foundational and accessible ways to get started. I love their work ethic and the dedication they show in class and in extracurricular activities.”

The four students selected to run the branch are Tag Obenauf, Sarah Sistrunk, Mikayla Anderson and Lyam Pugh. Constant said she prayed to find the right mix, and she did. The students will work Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 to 1:25 p.m. during FLEX time. Each has completed a paid internship, including 20 hours of training, before the branch opens.

Students and customers have the option when opening accounts to choose a school spirit debit card. These cards allow a portion of the revenue generated to be given back to the school featured on the card.

“I think it’s a great opportunity and I am really excited to get started,” Obenauf said. “I see doing something like this after high school.”

“I took Mrs. Constant’s personal finance class my freshman year, and I thought understanding how everything works was pretty cool,” Sistrunk said. “But being able to actually facilitate it for other people as it happens, I am all about hands-on learning, and I am really excited for this experience.”

“I am really excited for it mainly because I like learning about it,” Anderson said. “I didn’t know much before, so the internship at the bank helped my knowledge and understanding, and I am also excited to help other people learn.”

“I think it’s a great opportunity,” Pugh said. “Obviously money is how the world runs, so I want to know about it. I don’t plan on going into finance, but that could change. Either way, understanding money at a younger age is a great opportunity.”

Principal Michael Dunseith shared his excitement about the new on-campus branch at Stanhope Elmore High School.

“I am excited for our students to get this experience, and also for students who will use the bank,” Dunseith said. “I came in one day and asked Mrs. Constant, ‘Is the bank open yet? I need cash back.’ I’m thrilled we can offer this real-world experience. That’s probably the most important thing in high school, experiences that can relate to future careers and life.”

Evans from First Community Bank will be onsite to help students on Tuesdays and Thursdays when the branch opens. She will bring all supplies, and the students will balance the branch before opening and after closing, just like at the Millbrook branch location.

“I am very excited, and we have a great group of students participating,” Evans said.

Students interested in joining the program next year will go through a hand-selected process, including an interview with Evans and completion of a job application, giving them full real-world employment experience.

“We love investing in young people because they are our future,” Evans said.

The branch is set to open at the end of March, giving students a unique opportunity to gain real-world banking experience while serving their school community.