Banking Secretary Congratulates PA High School Student Awardees in National Financial Capability Challenge

West Philadelphia and York High School Students Received Scholarships

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Secretary of Banking Steve Kaplan today congratulated Pennsylvania high school students who were recently awarded college scholarships by the Charles Schwab Foundation in recognition of their achievements in the National Financial Capability Challenge, an annual online competition sponsored by the U.S. departments of Education and Treasury.

The two students are De-Anna Real, of William Penn Senior High in York, and Jamal James, of West Philadelphia High School in Philadelphia. They were among a group of 20 students from 10 states to receive a scholarship. Each student's high school will also receive a $1,000 grant from the Charles Schwab Foundation.

"The achievement of these two young people should send a strong message to their friends and families, their teachers and principals, and school districts and school boards around Pennsylvania," said Kaplan. "If more Pennsylvania students and schools follow their example and focus on the importance of financial literacy, Pennsylvania's economic future will be stronger."

The competition is designed to illustrate the relevance of financial capability, allowing students to demonstrate what they have learned and assess their financial knowledge. The competition also challenges high school teachers and other educators to teach the basics of personal finance to their students.  

More students from Pennsylvania scored in the top 20 percent of the competition than from any other state. Pennsylvania high schools and teachers participated in greater numbers than other states and Pennsylvania students ranked third in the number of perfect scores achieved. Information about this national competition can be found online at www.challenge.treas.gov.

The Department of Banking, through its Office of Financial Education, helps Pennsylvania's teachers incorporate age-appropriate personal finance principles into the reading, math and other subjects they already teach. For more information, visit www.moneysbestfriend.com.

Media contact: Ed Novak, 717-783-4721

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Banking