A Heartfelt Thank You to Principal Hautigan and Governor Ron DeSantis: Financial Literacy Is Changing Lives at Piper High School
- The Chairman
- 10 hours ago
- 3 min read
In today’s economy—where every dollar matters and the future feels increasingly uncertain—teaching young people how money works is no longer optional. It is essential. And at Piper High School, we are witnessing firsthand how the right curriculum, the right support, and the right leadership can transform an entire generation’s relationship with money, opportunity, and financial freedom.
Today, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to two individuals whose leadership has made this transformation possible: Principal Hautigan of Piper High School and Governor Ron DeSantis of the State of Florida.
Because of their commitment to empowering Florida’s students, I—Robert Sutton—have had the tremendous honor of teaching Financial Literacy, a course that has become far more than an academic requirement. It has become a life-changing catalyst for hundreds of students and their families.
A Vision That Became Reality: Florida’s Push for Financial Education
In 2022, Florida made history when Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation requiring financial literacy as a graduation requirement for all high school students—the strongest mandate of its kind in the nation.
This law ensures that every student learns:
Budgeting
Saving and investing
Credit and debt
Taxes and take-home pay
Entrepreneurship
The real-world cost of living
Wealth-building principles that last a lifetime
Thanks to this forward-thinking leadership, Financial Literacy is no longer a niche elective—it's a foundational life skill firmly embedded in Florida’s educational framework.
Principal Hautigan: Leadership that Powers Student Success
At Piper High School, Principal Haughtigan has been a true champion of this mission. Her support of innovative teaching, student-centered instruction, and practical real-world curriculum has created an environment where financial education doesn’t just exist—it thrives.
From ensuring resources are available, to building schedules that prioritize student success, to encouraging a culture where personal responsibility and financial awareness are celebrated, Principal Hautigan has helped lay the groundwork for long-term generational change.
Her leadership allows educators like myself to go beyond the textbook and bring financial literacy to life.
The Impact: Students Whose Lives—and Families—Are Changing
There is no greater reward for a teacher than seeing students return—months or even years later—to share how the lessons learned in class are shaping their lives.
And that is exactly what has been happening.
Students come back to tell me:
They opened savings accounts, sometimes for the first time in their family.
They started investing in index funds, stocks, or retirement accounts.
They are talking with their parents about budgeting, credit scores, and debt management.
They are making informed decisions about car loans, college choices, and employment offers.
Their families are now having financial conversations at home—conversations that were never happening before.
This is how generational change begins.
This is how cycles of financial struggle are broken.
This is how financial freedom becomes a family legacy.
And every day I witness these transformations, I am reminded of how powerful education can be when the right people believe in it.
Financial Literacy Has Changed the Concept of Money—and Freedom—for Our Students
The students at Piper High School are discovering that:
Money is not just what you earn. It’s what you keep, what you grow, and how you manage it.
Financial freedom is not a dream—it’s a discipline.
Entrepreneurship, investing, and informed decision-making are pathways to a better future.
For many, this course has reshaped their understanding of:
Wealth
Independence
Opportunity
The American Dream
These lessons don’t end in the classroom—they ripple outward into homes, families, and future generations.
A Thank You
To Governor Ron DeSantis: thank you for your bold leadership and commitment to ensuring that Florida students graduate prepared for the real world. Your financial literacy initiative is one of the most impactful education reforms in the country.
To Principal Hautigan: thank you for trusting me, supporting this mission, and creating an environment where financial literacy can truly flourish.
And to the students of Piper High School: thank you for your enthusiasm, your curiosity, and your commitment to building a better future for yourselves and your families.
Governor DeSantis may have mandated the course, but it was Principal Hautigan that implimented the vision.
Yes—the dynamics of money have been changed. And because of this shared vision, generations to come will walk a path of greater confidence, responsibility, and financial freedom.
