CHICAGO- (February 14, 2017) – In conjunction with Money Smart Week April 22-29, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and its partner organizations will sponsor the 2017 Money Smart Kid Essay Contest.
Students in grades 5-8 in the greater Chicagoland area (Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will counties) are asked to write an essay of 300 words or less on the following topic:
Do you think there is a connection between financial health and physical health? Please explain your answer. And what can a city, state or national policymaker do to promote financially healthier citizens?
In addition to writing the essay, students must be recommended by a teacher or guardian and be able to demonstrate how they practice good money management.
Six finalists will be selected to attend the Money Smart Kick-Off breakfast April 12 at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. One student will be named 2017’s Money Smart Kid and spend a year as Chicago’s financial literacy ambassador. Prizes include a $3,000 scholarship for the first-place winner, and two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to the runner-ups. The three scholarships are sponsored by COUNTRY Financial, and a representative of the company will present the awards to each of these winners. The three other finalists in attendance will receive laptop computers courtesy of Woodforest National Bank.
“The Money Smart Kid essay contest is a fun and exciting way to engage students with a wide variety of money concepts, and it challenges them to critically think about solving real-life money issues,” said Heather Greenwell, Outreach Program Lead, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. “All past winners have been outstanding and very impressive young men and women, and we fully anticipate meeting yet another future money expert with this year’s contest.”
All essays must be submitted (postmarked) by March 10, 2017. Students must include a teacher recommendation and have parent or guardian permission. For rules and entry forms, visit http://www.moneysmartweek.org/kids_competition, and choose the Chicago contest tab.
Created by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago in 2002, Money Smart Week® is a public awareness campaign designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances. This is achieved through the collaboration and coordinated effort of thousands of organizations across the country including businesses, financial institutions, schools, libraries, not-for-profits, government agencies and the media. Programming is offered to all demographics and income levels and covers all facets of personal finance. Partnering organizations will host their events April 22 - 29, 2017. For more information about events or becoming a partner, visit www.moneysmartweek.org.
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