An educated consumer is ...

Four students from Southern Regional High School in Stafford have a chance to become state champs in the New Jersey Consumer Bowl. They've won the South Jersey title and face off against the North Jersey and Central Jersey winners next month in a quiz show format that features multiple-choice and individual questions and even lightning rounds.

Spelling and geography bees may be important teaching tools, but a contest educating young people about consumer issues may have even more long-term value. Members of the club at Southern discuss telephone scams, lemon laws and credit-card fraud. They learn about charitable solicitations and online shopping privacy issues.

This is something all schools should be offering. It's a life skill all parents should push their children to appreciate. Regardless of our station in life, we're all consumers.