Money Week Tulsa
$MART KID ESSAY CONTEST
Presented by:
ABOUT THE CONTEST:
The goal of the Money Week Tulsa (MWT) “$mart Kid” Essay Contest (Contest) is to help
students develop a working knowledge of economic and personal finance concepts,
understand budgets, value the importance of financial planning, and become better
prepared for their future roles as consumers, investors, and employees.
In support of Financial Literacy Month, Bank of Oklahoma is sponsoring the Contest and
encouraging students in middle school (Grades 7-8) and high school (Grades 9-12) in the
Tulsa county to answer this year’s “$mart Kid” question. Middle school students are asked
to answer the question with an essay of 300 words or less, and high school students in are
asked to answer the question in 500 words or less. Four scholarships will be awarded:
High School:
Middle School:
1st Place - $2,500
1st Place - $1,000
2nd Place - $1,000
2nd Place - $500
Winners will be recognized at the MWT Kick-off Event on April 20th 2015! Winners and
their parents also receive a free financial consultation. The prize money will be deposited
in an appropriate savings product in the students’ name.
THIS YEAR’S QUESTION:
“You want to make a difference in this world and your dream is to attend college. You know
college is expensive so, together, you and your family need to find ways to afford college!”
In answering this question, make sure to address all of the following points:
1. How would attending college impact you, your family and the community?
2. What are the biggest challenges to affording college and what are some potential
solutions?
3. What actions can you and your family take to make college affordable?
Money Week Tulsa
$MART KID ESSAY CONTEST
GUIDELINES:
Candidates Must:
 Submit an essay and application form together in writing.
 Mail the essay and application via U.S. Mail to the address below, postmarked no later than April 6,
2015. No emailed essays / applications will be accepted.
 Be a student in a middle school or high school in Tulsa County.
 Live in Tulsa County.
 Have an interest in money management skills (decision-making related to spending and saving,
investing, use of credit, etc.) appropriate for their age and grade level.
 Demonstrate how they practice good money management skills in their daily lives.
 Be able to “think on their feet” – responding to questions from business leaders and media.
 Be articulate – able to speak in front of large groups and cameras, and respond well to questions.
 Successful candidates must have and present when requested a valid social security number or
individual tax identification number.
To Apply:
 The deadline for essay submissions is Monday, April 6, 2015. Essays must be postmarked by that
date in order to be judged.
 Students must be recommended by a teacher using the attached form. Official school sponsorship is
not required.
 Students must have parent or guardian permission to apply and participate.
 Student must write an essay (Grades 7-8, 300 words or less; Grades 9-12, 500 words or less) on the
assigned topic. The student’s name must be typed on essay.
 Essays should be typed on plain white paper, double-spaced. The $mart Kid Essay Application Form
should be attached to the top of the essay pages. The essay must be the work of the student
submitting the essay. No hand-written essays will be accepted.
 The application form must be signed by the teacher and a parent/guardian.
ESSAYS & APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE MAILED TO:
Bank of Oklahoma
Attn: Debbie Jones
One West 3rd – Floor 5
Tulsa, OK 74103
TIMELINE - $MART KID ESSAY CONTEST 2015
Date
April 6
April 13-15
April 17
April 20
April 20-25
Activity
Deadline for Essay Submission
Finalists Interviewed
Deadline for Selecting $mart Kid Winners
Announce Winners at MWT Kick-off Event in
Week- Long Public Awareness Campaign and Financial Literacy Workshops
Organizations
Teachers, Students, Parents/Guardians
$mart Kid Essay Committee
Smart Kid Essay Committee
Money Week Tulsa
Money Week Tulsa
APPLICATION:
Fill out this form completely. Sign the form as indicated and attach it to the front of the essay.
And I give permission for him/her to participate in the activities of Money Week Tulsa 2015, including consent to
release photos and personal information for media and promotional purposes.
Essays are judged by a panel of community leaders
who are members of the MWT Middle / High School
Committee. Names are removed from essays prior to
judging. All essays become the property of Money
Week Tulsa and may be used to promote financial