Treasurer Rios Congratulates "Save Out Loud" Contest Winners

Many students have studied a dollar bill, but probably very few imagined they would have a chance to be congratulated by the person who signs our national currency: Treasurer of the United States Rosie Rios. Grand-prize winners of the Ready.Save.Grow. "Save Out Loud" contest, which asked students in grades K-12 to submit photo and video essays about savings, recently had that opportunity.

Treasurer Rios congratulated the winners and their classmates during virtual video visits in December to classrooms in North Carolina, Oklahoma and Wisconsin. In addition to thanking the winners for "serving as a role model for others on the value and importance of saving," Treasurer Rios answered questions from students about the role of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, her responsibilities as the Treasurer, and the importance of savings.

The winning entries captured savings stories from students and families across the country, including plans to buy blankets for victims of Superstorm Sandy, fulfill dreams to attend art school, become a doctor and open a dance studio.

The grand-prize winners were selected by a panel of distinguished judges: Treasurer Rios; Bureau of the Public Debt Commissioner Van Zeck; Beth Kobliner, personal finance commentator and journalist; David Mancl, Jump$tart Coalition and Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions; and Nan Morrison, Council for Economic Education.

In addition to the grand prize winners, the contest also recognized four popular vote winners. All contest winners received official commemorative prizes from the Treasury Department. Check out www.treasurydirect.gov/readysavegrow/contest_winners.htm to see the photos and videos and share the winning entries with your constituents.