| Marsteller Opens "Bulldog Banking and Trust" Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - |
 MarstellerMiddle School was bursting with excitement as students, staff, and community members gathered together to celebrate the opening of Marsteller’s “Bulldog Banking and Trust” in-school branch of BB&T. As the more than 30 student employees enthusiastically greeted guests and talked about their new banking positions, the school’s concert band punctuated the air with a spirit of celebration. Ashley Kate Kesler, one of the student bank managers from the eighth-grade team, acted as emcee for the morning’s festivities, welcoming speakers to the podium to share a few words.
 Superintendent of Schools Steven L. Walts expressed his pleasure in opening another in-school financial branch, explaining that “one of the reasons [the School Division] supports financial institutions in our schools is because planning ahead and learning to save is something very important and very, very powerful.” To the students, Dr. Walts noted that “this will give you a lot of opportunity to learn about the banking industry, about saving, and about the mathematics behind finance,” and encouraged them each to use what they learn from this experience well into the future. By establishing the “Bulldog" branch at MarstellerMiddle School, BB&T assists PWCS in teaching students about making informed financial decisions. The partnership also creates a hands-on work environment for students to be engaged as bank employees, helping students earn valuable work experience and skills that will stay with them in the future.
 Wally Covington (Brentsville), Prince William Board of County Supervisors Vice Chairman, also addressed the crowd, sharing a bit of wisdom from his grandmother: “One of the best friends you can have in life is a little bit of money in the bank. So start saving now, it will make a difference later,” he said.Covington then went on to explain how the Board of County Supervisors recognizes the value of school-to-business partnerships such as the one between BB&T and MarstellerMiddle School, both in terms of monetary donations and enhanced educational programs, adding that students who participate in these kinds of activities are “getting a jumpstart on real life.”
To wrap things up, Mike Pybus, senior vice president of BB&T, shared his excitement by leading the audience in a game-day style chant of “Go Bulldogs.” He added, “It’s really exciting to walk in and see our future leaders [at work in] our own new little branch.”
 The “Bulldog” branch is the sixth BB&T in-school financial branch to open in a PWCS school. BevilleMiddle School and Antietam, King, Leesylvania, and TylerElementary Schools also have BB&T branches within their walls, and plans are already underway to open a BB&T branch at AshlandElementary School in the next few months.VisitMarstellerMiddle School’s Web site.
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