Originally published in the Montana Bankers Association January 2016 Bancserve Press Newsletter
William Ewing from Lima High School is the first place winner of the 2015 Montana Financial Scholars Program Blog Contest, with Janessa Haynie and Jaqcee Huseby, both from Circle High School in 2nd and 3rd Place respectively.
The Montana Bankers Financial Scholars Program is sponsored by the member banks of the Montana Bankers Association (MBA) and is implemented by EverFi, Inc. Lima High School’s program is sponsored by Pioneer Federal Savings & Loan. Circle High School received it’s sponsorship from Garfield County Bank. The program offers over eight hours of programming aimed at certifying students in a variety of financial topics including credit scores, insurance, credit cards, student loans, mortgages, taxes, stocks, savings, 401k’s and other critical concepts that map to national financial literacy standards. Once completed, graduates of the program receive a certificate of achievement and will benefit for life from the important life and financial skills taught in the program.
As part of this program, the MBA and EverFi started this blog contest in 2014, encouraging Montana Financial Scholars Program participants to write and publish blogs that may help inspire other students and their parents or caregivers to get involved in the program. A $500 scholarship, supported by EverFi, is awarded to each blog winner.
“I make about 200 dollars a week, so 50 dollars of it goes to gas and auto maintenance, 30 dollars go to extra clothing, the final 20 dollars go to the family savings jar. I am thankful for doing this program; it has helped my family and me extremely by getting us out of debt and on a right budget system,” wrote 1st place winner, William Ewing, of Lima High School.
“The future can sometimes be a scary thought. Some people try to avoid it, and others head into it straight on without ever learning how to financially prepare themselves for their future. Most people don’t realize until they go to college that to make money, you have to spend money. That is why it is so important that people know how to both save and spend their money, and with this course I learned how to prepare myself financially for my future,” wrote 2nd place winner, Janessa Haynie, of Circle High School.
“… having a better idea on how to manage money will take me farther in college and my career later. Along with planning for my future through college and my career it will also help me with my dream of traveling. Traveling along with college, career, and whatever else you want to buy comes with financial debt,” wrote 3rd place winner, Jaqcee Huseby, of Circle High School.
Since the beginning of the academic school year of 2014, the Montana Financial Scholars Program has sponsored this blog contest, asking for submissions from program participants, telling their individual stories about financial literacy and the challenges they face. Each year, more than 50 Montana students submitted a blog throughout the competition, all of whom will be recognized for their effort.
The winning blogs can be read in full at the MBA’s Banking on Montana’s website – www.bankingonmontanans.com and social media outlets. EverFi will publish the winning blogs as well.
Bankers interested in learning more about how to get involved in the Montana Financial Scholarship Program should contact Pam O’Reilly of the MBA at 406.441.4703 or send an email to pam@montanabankers.com.
