Earn Your Stripes
By Arkansas NEXT: Money on Monday, April 13, 2026
Early Start in Money Managing
From first grade through high school, Maeher’s involvement with Economics Arkansas has given her tremendous opportunities, including being nominated for recognition in the organization’s annual report. At the time, she wasn’t sure what she had signed up for, but she quickly realized this would change the trajectory of her life in school forever.
“It was not until I attended the celebration luncheon that I began to realize the significance of the opportunity,” Maeher said. “At that moment, I realized that I wanted to be on that stage one day, being recognized for my own work.”
Piggy Bank Prodigy
Maeher's lifelong interest in analytical thinking and financial literacy can be traced back to a pivotal moment at age 13. It was then that her father introduced her to the practical world of personal finance, a lesson initiated by creating her very first budget using Microsoft Excel. This hands-on exercise wasn't just about tracking income, it instilled a deep-seated appreciation for managing money with discipline.
Maeher has several jobs on her resume. She has experience as a gymnastics coach at Increased Heights Gymnastics, the Youth Action Team President and now servces on the board of the Women's Foundation of Arkansas. The pivotal principles of saving, best practices and prudent financial planning quickly became second nature for Maeher.
“This foundation drives my commitment to financial literacy, not only as a personal practice, but as a means of empowerment,” Maeher said. “I am deeply committed to helping students practice good financial habits so they can break cycles of inequity and achieve long-lasting economic mobility.”
Financial Literacy Club
Motivated by the clear gap in financial education across Arkansas, Maeher observed that many of her peers at Central High School lacked essential knowledge for planning their financial futures upon graduation. To validate this concern, she executed a research project, measuring students' financial knowledge before and after they completed a two-month literacy course. The findings proved her initial hypothesis. Students' test scores saw a significant 65% increase following their participation in the course.
“What surprises me most when working with my peers is how unfamiliar many students are with concepts that are essential for adulthood,” Maeher said. “I was especially struck with this realization during a lesson on credit cards, when a student shared that his parents taught him that credit cards were essentially a form of ‘free money’ … As I explained, I watched understanding begin to take shape in his eyes. Employing my communication skills led me to understand that in business, stories move people to act.”
When she’s not teaching her peers about best money management, she’s working as the managing editor and business manager of her high school newspaper. She also serves as the co-president of the local citizens’ Climate Lobby Youth Action Team, advocating for clean energy policies and leading workshops to teach other students how to write persuasive, academic letters to editors. She’s also been a member of the Central High School varsity dance team for three years. Outside of school, shes a board member of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas, where she represents minority and teenage women on the committee.
“Each day, I am surrounded by some of the most inspirational women, whose leadership continually challenges me to grow,” Maeher said. “I walk into my work knowing that what I do matters and directly serves others. Through this experience, I have had the opportunity to design innovative fundraising initiatives.”
Planning for the Future
Now, as a senior in high school, Maeher plans to major in finance with a concentration in creative writing or analytics. Although she hasn’t selected a college to attend yet, she has big plans for her future. Maeher has decided to pursue a career in financial advising, focusing on serving women.
“Studies consistently show that women, on average, have less access to financial education and confidence in money management, which can limit long-term financial independence,” Maeher said. “My goal is to help educate these females.
Ultimately, I want to help people by combining my love of financial literacy with communication.”
Not only is she planning for her own future, but also the future of her financial literacy club at Central High School.
“My sister will be starting high school at Central next year, and I would love for her to carry on the legacy,” Maeher said. “I plan to introduce her to some of my contacts, which include local business owners and nonprofit leaders, so she can continue advocating for students to learn the language of business.”
