The Money Smart Month Kid's Essay Contest is Over!

The annual Money Smart Kids Essay Contest is a creative opportunity for young students to increase their financial awareness, as well as develop and apply their money management skills! All sixth-through eighth-grade students in the St. Louis metropolitan area are encouraged to submit an essay of 500 words or less answering the annual contest question. The contest question was: What are three steps you can take during your teenage years to kickstart your financial future? This year's winners for the contest received the following awards: 1st place wins $2,000, 2nd place wins $1,000, & 3rd place wins $500!

Download Kids Essay Contest Application Here

2023 Winners:

Three winners were selected by a panel of volunteer judges to receive scholarships of $2,000, $1,000, and $500.

First Place Winner: 
Spiro Georges – 8th grader
Parkway Central Middle School
Chesterfield, MO

Second Place Winner:
Kawthar Dizdarevic – 8th grader
Gateway Science Academy
St. Louis, MO

Third Place Winner:
Abby Farnsworth – 8th grader
Bryan Middle School
St. Charles, MO

In addition, essay contest winners were able to identify nonprofit agencies to receive a donation on behalf of the students. Additional winners include: Wings of Hope, Gateway Science Academy, & Zion Lutheran Youth Group.

2022 Winners:

Three winners were selected by a panel of volunteer judges to receive scholarships of $2,000, $1,000, and $500.

First Place Winner: 
DeJuan Strickland – 7th grader
All Saints Academy- St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Catholic School
Florissant, MO

Second Place Winner:
Mekhi Roundtree – 8th grader
Parkway Northeast
St. Louis, MO

Third Place Winner:
Olivia Thornton – 8th grader
All Saints Academy- St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Catholic School
Black Jack, MO

In addition, essay contest winners were able to identify nonprofit agencies to receive a donation on behalf of the students. Additional winners include: Young Biz Kids & Parkway Northeast Middle School.