The theme for the 2012 Be Money Wi$e Financial Literacy Poster Contest is "Managing Money is not Magic!" Students are challenged to illustrate effective ways to manage their money. Examples of effective steps include making a money plan (budget), tracking what you do with your money, and saving. The contest is open to Vermont students in 3rd-12th grades. The deadline to enter a poster is March 12, 2012.

The annual contest is sponsored by the State Treasurer's Office and the Vermont Bankers Association. Students placing first in each grade division win a $100 U.S. savings bond. Their schools are awarded a $100 cash prize for supporting financial education. Students placing 1st through 3rd in each division are recognized at an April State House ceremony as part of an annual celebration of April as Youth Financial Literacy Month. The ceremony is scheduled for April 12.

Contest flyer and rules

Congratulations to the 2011 Winners!

More than 180 posters were submitted for the 2011 contest.The contest featured three grade categories: elementary, 3rd-5th grades; middle school, 6th-8th grades; and high school, 9th-12th grades. Each grade category winner received a $100 U.S. savings bond and their schools a $100 cash award in recognition of their support of financial literacy. The prizes are donated by the Vermont Bankers Association. The winners for 2011 are: 

Elementary School Division

1st Place:  Savannah Chism, Bethel Elementary School, Bethel

2nd Place:  Zach Schaw, Williston Centeral School, Williston

3rd Place:  Brittany Caron, Good Shepherd Catholic School, St. Johnsbury

Middle School Division

1st Place:  Acacia Wheeler, Home-schooled, Swanton

2nd Place: Anna Dieffenbach, Bethel Elementary School, Bethel

3rd Place:  Kristen Tirrito, Waterville Elementary School, Waterville

High School Division

1st Place:  Jaime Cherem, St. Johnsbury Academy, St. Johnsbury

2nd Place:  Zach Cochran, St. Johnsbury Academy, St. Johnsbury

3rd Place:  Tamar Wheeler, Home-schooled, Swanton

Students were recognized at a State House ceremony on April 14. WCAX news covered the event. More

Take a look at the 2011 Poster Contest Winners!

Entries were judged on expression of theme, artwork style and content, and creativity. Below is a slide show of the winning posters and those that received an honorable mention designation by the panel of three judges.