Attention High School Students! Win Cash & Scholarships From Home Andy Meisner Financial Literacy Arts Contest

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI – Oakland County public high school students who are looking for something to do that can also benefit them monetarily should look no further than the Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner Financial Literacy Multimedia Arts Contest. This 2-D and multi-media/video contest focuses on the importance of financial understanding. Thanks to sponsorship from Flagstar Bank, winners from each grade will receive significant cash prizes and college scholarships: top winners in grades 9-11 will each win $1,000 cash prizes; twelfth graders will win a $1,000 scholarship. Second and third place winners in each grade level will each win $750 and $500, respectively. Thanks to Flagstar’s generosity, over $80,000 has been awarded in the past eight years of this contest.
“Now more than ever, our students must be equipped with the financial literacy skills they’ll need to control their finances, instead of their finances controlling them. Promoting financial literacy and education is a personal passion of mine and a primary focus of the Treasurer’s Office. This art contest is one of the most effective – not to mention enjoyable – ways in which we accomplish that mission.” Meisner said. “It is a real pleasure to see the creative perspectives on financial themes from these student-artists from across Oakland County.”
Online entries can be submitted until May 29, 2020, on the Oakland County Treasurer’s webpage or at www.oakgov.com/treasurer/gallery. Judging will occur the week of June 1, 2020, and students will be informed of the results after June 8. Once the coronavirus quarantine has been lifted and judging is complete, all submissions will be displayed in the Oakland County Treasurer’s Office for one year and in an online gallery.
“This project is a great assignment for our Oakland County public high school students to work on during their out-of-school hiatus, especially since submissions are online,” said Hedy Blatt, fine arts consultant for Oakland Schools. “Thanks to our partnership with Andy and his staff, Flagstar Bank, and the Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency, this contest offers our students a fabulous opportunity to eliminate boredom while at the same time earning money for purchases, saving or college and learning the importance of financial literacy, which cannot be understated. It’s a win/win!”

OAKLAND COUNTY TREASURER
1200 N. TELEGRAPH RD., DEPT. 479
PONTIAC, MI 48341-0479
ANDY MEISNER
COUNTY TREASURER
JODY WEISSLER DEFOE
CHIEF DEPUTY TREASURER
OFFICE (248) 858-0623 FAX (248) 858-1810

There are many areas in which a student may choose to explore. Topic suggestions include aspects of financial literacy as it pertains to them—credit card debt, student loans, personal/family money management, financial planning—the list is limitless. Acceptable entries include 2-D (drawing, painting, photography, mixed media, and illustration) and video. Entries will be judged on creativity, artistic execution, and the incorporation of the financial literacy theme.

“We commend Treasurer Meisner for putting the spotlight on the importance of financial literacy for young people—and doing so in a way that taps into their creative talents,” said Kim Goethe, director of Government Banking for Flagstar Bank. “The whole community benefits when residents make sound financial choices, and there’s no better place to start than with the young people in Flagstar’s own home county. That’s why we’ve been committed to this contest from the very beginning and renew our commitment every year.”

“I want to thank the contest’s generous sponsor, Flagstar Bank, as well as contest fiduciary OLHSA, without both this contest would not be possible,” Meisner said. “Flagstar Bank has been an exemplary corporate partner helping to promote awareness of financial literacy themes through this contest and in countless other ways. I salute them for everything that they have done, and continue to do, for our community.”

The contest is open to Oakland County public high school students in grades 9 through 12. Each entry must be the original work of the student. For questions, contact Ross Gavin at (248) 858-0627.
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