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 is: There is a lot to learn about credit. Should middle school students learn about credit in school? Please explain why it is important and how it could impact your 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

2024 Winners:

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

First Place Winner: 
Navya Manchala – 8th grader
Frontier Middle School
O’Fallon, MO

Second Place Winner:
Elliot Marchant – 8th grader
Brittany Woods Middle School
University City, MO

Third Place Winner:
Myleigh Stanley – 8th grader
Grandview R2 Middle School
Hillsboro, MO

In addition, essay contest winners were able to identify nonprofit agencies to receive a donation on behalf of the students. Additional winners include: Frontier Middle School, UCHS Robotics Team 3397, & Grandview R2 Middle School.

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.