Money Smart Kid Scholarship 2011 Essay Contest, presented by the Nebraska Council on Economic Education and NEST, Nebraska’s 529 College Savings Plans, gives students in grades 6-8 a chance to write about financial education and win a scholarship.

This year’s topic: You have been asked to give your class a short lesson on the importance of financial literacy. What would you say and why?

Congratulations to Whitney Steckel, 7th grader at Loup County Public Schools, and Madeline White, 7th grader at McMillan Magnet Center, 1st place winners of the Money Smart Kid 2011 essay contest! Each will receive a $500 scholarship. 2nd place winners are Ashley Yakopec, 8th grader at Morton Magnet Middle School, and Celine Hope Marie Haynes, 8th grader at Beveridge Magnet Middle School. They will both receive $250 scholarships. Their essays addressed last year’s topic: You have been asked to give your class a short lesson on the importance of financial literacy. What would you say and why?