Cleveland Federal Reserve Bank Announces Essay Contest Winners

More than 80 area students wax poetic on "Life After High School"

The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland announced Joon Seok Yoo, a student at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio, as the winner of the Bank's 2008 essay contest for high school students. Yoo won a $500 savings bond for his essay, "College, Human Capital and Air Cargo." Mr. Diccon Ong, a teacher at Western Reserve Academy, was Yoo's sponsor. More than 80 area students participated in this year's contest and wrote essays focused on the theme "Life After High School."

Other prize winners are:

Second Place ($250 U.S. savings bond):

"The College Life for Me," author Brett Pohlman, St. Xavier High School, Cincinnati, OH, sponsored by Mr. James Juergens

Runners-up ($100 U.S. savings bond):

"Open Options," author Elizabeth DeLyser, Baldwin High School, Pittsburgh, PA, sponsored by Ms. Natalie Grattan

"Paying for a Future," author Clay Sullivan, Larry A. Ryle High School, Union, KY, sponsored by Ms. Sarah Meece

"Life After High School," author Denise Vu, Larry A. Ryle High School, Union, KY, sponsored by Ms. Sarah Meece

Semifinalists ($50 U.S. savings bond):

"Life After High School," author Kylie Cassidy, Hoover High School, North Canton, OH, sponsored by Mrs. Rashmi Chopra

"The Pathway, College," author Colleen Costello, Larry A. Ryle High School, Union, KY, sponsored by Ms. Sarah Meece

"An Economic View of My Future," author Kristin Cukovich, Seneca Valley Senior High School, Harmony PA, sponsored by Mrs. Erin Ceh

"After High School," author Yihharn Hwang, Hoover High School, North Canton, OH, sponsored by Mrs. Rashmi Chopra

"Paving the Path," author Caitlin McPherson, Walton-Verona High School, Walton, KY, sponsored by Mr. Jody Johnson

The essay contest, sponsored by the Bank's Learning Center and Money Museum, is open to high school juniors and seniors in the Fourth Federal Reserve District (Ohio, western Pennsylvania, eastern Kentucky, northern panhandle of West Virginia). Students were asked to write a brief essay about their post-graduation plans, incorporating economic concepts such as: how to weigh the cost and benefits of their options, what is the best road to earn the education and skills they need, and does college make the best economic sense? The essays were awarded points based on comprehension, organization, conclusions, creativity, and clarity.

Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland

The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland is one of 12 regional Reserve Banks that along with the Board of Governors in Washington DC comprise the Federal Reserve System. Part of the US central bank, the Cleveland Fed participates in the formulation of our nation’s monetary policy, supervises banking organizations, provides payment and other services to financial institutions and to the US Treasury, and performs many activities that support Federal Reserve operations System-wide. In addition, the Bank supports the well-being of communities across the Fourth Federal Reserve District through a wide array of research, outreach, and educational activities.

The Cleveland Fed, with branches in Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, serves an area that comprises Ohio, western Pennsylvania, eastern Kentucky, and the northern panhandle of West Virginia.

Media contact

Doug Campbell, doug.campbell@clev.frb.org, 513.455.4479