Students Receive $100 Savings Bond for Creativity and Understanding of Financial Concepts

Riverside, CA –Springboard Nonprofit Consumer Credit Management is pleased to announce the winners of its fifth annual “Be Money Wise”Youth Financial Literacy Poster Contest.   Understanding that an early start to financial education is fundamental to raising money wise children, Springboard offers students from 3^rd through 12^th grade an opportunity to participate in a nationwide poster contest.  The theme of this year’s annual youth poster contest was “Be a Super Hero – Save Money”.  The annual contest offers an excellent opportunity to work with and educate teachers, students and parents on the importance of wise money management.  For students, it is a wonderful opportunity to express their creativity along with their knowledge and understanding of money management that will follow them through adulthood.

“We’re extremely proud of all the students that participated in this year’s contest,” said Melinda Opperman, Springboard’s senior vice president of community outreach and industry relations.  “Teaching children financial concepts such as budgeting, saving for a rainy day and using credit wisely are important lessons that will stay with them for a lifetime,” said Opperman.

The purpose of the contest is to introduce young people to the concept of financial literacy, and allow them to express their understanding of it through art.  Springboard received more than 115 entries this year from students enrolled in schools in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.   A panel of community stakeholders representing financial institutions, the public school system and local media selected one winner from each of the three grade specific categories.  Posters were judged on expression of theme, artwork, style, content and overall creativity.  The winning grade-specific entries were sent to be judged at the national level by the National Foundation for Consumer Credit Counseling.  Additionally, Springboard recognized one standout entry as its Chairman’s Award winner.

As April is officially recognized in the United States as National Financial Literacy Month, Springboard’s Youth Financial Literacy Poster Contest winners were recognized at a luncheon held in their honor at the Historic Mission Inn in Riverside.  Each winner was awarded a trophy, certificate of achievement and $100 savings bond, and was recognized by Springboard CEO and President Todd Emerson, who presided over the awards luncheon.

Springboard congratulates this year’s contest winners:

9^th grade student Sarah of Etiwanda High, Fontana

6^th grade student Michelle of Village Elementary, Victorville

4^th grade student Romel  of Village Elementary, Victorville

Twelfth grade student Simote of  Summit High School in Fontana was the recipient of this year’s Chairman Award.

The winning entries may be viewed by visiting Springboard’s website and clicking on the following link, http://www.credit.org/community/gallery/10PosterContest.

Serving the community as Springboard’s Youth Financial Literacy Poster Contest distinguished panel of judges were:

• Raúl Bustillos, Bank of America
• Marcelino Serna, San Bernardino City Unified School District
• Suzie Arthur, US Bank
• Michael Castillejos, US Bank
• Edward Diggins, Summit Branch Library, Fontana
• Lizette Navarette, Mayor’s Office, City of Riverside
• Juan Garcia, La Prensa
• Maribel Macias, Community Action Partnership
• Hon. Mitchel R. Goldberg, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Central District of CA (ret.)

Springboard is encouraged to empower students with the knowledge they need to make good decisions about money management, saving, and budgeting, as these are critical to helping them build secure financial futures. “Springboard’s 2010 Youth Poster Contest winners serve as examples to their peers about the importance of financial education,” said Opperman.

About Springboard Nonprofit Consumer Credit Management

SPRINGBOARD® Nonprofit Consumer Credit Management is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit personal financial education and counseling organization founded in 1974. Springboard is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency and a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, a national organization of nonprofit credit counseling agencies, and a member of the Association of Independent Credit Counseling Agencies. The agency offers personal financial education and assistance with credit counseling, housing counseling, debt and money management through educational programs and confidential counseling. Springboard is accredited by the Council on Accreditation, signifying the highest standards for agency governance, fiscal integrity, counselor certification and service delivery policies. The agency provides pre-bankruptcy counseling and debtor education as mandated by the bankruptcy reform law. The agency offers nationwide phone counseling services and has locations in California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas for in-person counseling sessions.  Not all types of counseling are available in-person at all locations, please call for details.  For more information on Springboard, call 800-449-9818 or visit their web site at www.credit.org.