Local Students Get Creative, Win Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland Writing Contest

David Mytnick, a junior from Ohio's North Ridgeville High School, and Daniel Van Twisk, a senior from Hoover High School in North Canton, Ohio, are the top winners in the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland’s 2010 Creative Writing Contest. Each will receive a $300 U.S. Series I savings bond for their creative submissions. Mytnick's essay, "Childhood Obesity in America," and Van Twisk's short story, "Nailing NIMBY," reflect this year's contest theme: "There ought to be a regulation for that ..." Each student entry was sponsored by a teacher. Mr. Lucky Varouh from North Ridgeville High and Ms. Rashmi Chopra from Hoover High were the sponsors for the two top winners.

This year's contest was divided into two categories - essays and creative writing - and prizes were given out for the top entries in each category. Student submissions came from throughout the Fourth Federal Reserve District.

Other prize winners for 2010:
ESSAYS
Second Place ($150 U.S. Series I savings bond)
Steven Rohrer, North Ridgeville High School, North Ridgeville, Ohio, sponsored by Lucky Varouh

Third Place (Tie) ($75 U.S. Series I savings bond) 
Matthew J. Neiding, Jr., North Ridgeville High School, North Ridgeville, Ohio, sponsored by Lucky Varouh
Margaret Boehnlein, North Ridgeville High School, North Ridgeville, Ohio, sponsored by Lucky Varouh

CREATIVE WRITING 
Second Place ($150 U.S. Series I savings bond) 
John Kammerer, St. Xavier High School, Cincinnati, Ohio, sponsored by James Jurgens

Third Place (Tie) ($75 U.S. Series I savings bond) 
Abigail Whisler, Hoover High School, North Canton, Ohio, sponsored by Rashmi Chopra
Gary Remlinger, Baldwin High School, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, sponsored by Natalie Grattan

For the past seven years, the Bank’s Learning Center and Money Museum has sponsored a writing contest for high school juniors and seniors in the Fourth Federal Reserve District, which includes Ohio, western Pennsylvania, eastern Kentucky, and the northern panhandle of West Virginia. Entries are evaluated based on comprehension, organization, conclusions, creativity, and clarity.

The Learning Center and Money Museum is your source for all things money. For online activities, games, and educational resources, visit the Learning Center and Money Museum. Or plan an in-person visit to explore 30 interactive exhibits and displays that focus on what gives money value. Admission is free. The facility is open year-round, Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (closed holidays).

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, 513.218.1892