State Secretary of Banking Steve Kaplan applauded two Pennsylvania high school students this week for winning college scholarships, which are funded by the Charles Schwab Foundation. They received these awards for their achivements in the National Financial Capability Challenge, an online competition that is sponsored each year by the U.S. Departments of Education and Treasury.
De-Anna Real of York and Jamal James of west Philadelphia were selected from a group of 20 students in 10 states. Their high schools will also receive a grant of $1,000 from the Charles Schwab Foundation.
The competition - which was designed to illustrate the importance of financial literacy - assessed the students' knowledge about money and allowed them to demonstrate what they have learned in school. Teachers and educators were also challenged to teach the basics of personal finance.
More students from the state of Pennsylvania scored in the top 20 percent of the competition than from any other state in the U.S.
"The achievement of these two young people should send a strong message," said Kaplan. "If more Pennsylvania students and schools follow their example and focus on the importance of financial literacy, [the state's] economic future will be stronger."
