COPPERAS COVE — Laura E. Dossey, a senior at Copperas Cove High School, has won a $2,000 second-place award in the High School Financial Literacy Awards program for a poster she designed for the contest.
Dossey was one of two Texas students and 12 nationally to place in the contest which required posters or essays on the theme of “What in the World is Financial Literacy?” Guy Wesley, a junior at Guthrie High School was the other Texas winner, placing third with his poster and winning $1,000.
In Texas, the Texas Agricultural Extension Service partners with the National Endowment for Financial Education in the High School Financial Planning Program, according to Nancy Granovsky, Extension family economics specialist and state representative to the program.
“It’s gratifying to see how many young people are thinking about their financial futures and are making plans now to build a good life for the future,” Granovsky said. “The understanding they have about financial literacy is something many adults haven’t mastered.”
In her winning poster, Dossey illustrated financial literacy as the roots of a tree of security that branch out into independence, knowledge, success, security, home, education, a job, retirement and fun.
More than 1,200 students from across the nation entered this year’s essay and poster contest which provided a total of $25,000 in award money to the top 12.
The NEFE High School Financial Literacy Awards program fosters financial responsibility by focusing students on the importance of sound money management and by providing them with the flexibility to make personal finance choices in using their award money. As part of their entries, students were asked to specify how they will use their award money to further their educations.
“Understanding the basics of managing money — how to earn, spend, save and invest it — is perhaps one of the most important practical skills for today’s youth,” said Elizabeth Schiever, director of NEFE’s High School Financial Planning Program.
Teachers and residents interested in learning more about the high school-level program, which is free to educators, may contact local county Extension Service offices.
-30-
4HYO TOP Kathleen (Kate) Davis Texas A&M University Agricultural Communications — News 203 Reed McDonald College Station, Texas 77843-2112
979-845-2872 F-979-845-2414 k-davis3@tamu.edu http://agcomwww.tamu.edu/dailynews/stories/news/staffhps/katehtml/kate.htm