The Link

2/15/2013
IOWA NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION

IA STUDENTS WIN LITERACY VIDEO CONTEST

JOHNSTON, IOWA (Feb. 15, 2013) – Three Iowa students have won a new statewide financial literacy video contest sponsored by the Iowa Bankers Association, and one of the students is a finalist in a national contest sponsored by the American Bankers Association.

The Lights, Camera, Save! video contest encourages students ages 13-18 to learn about the value of saving and using money wisely. Participating students create videos that promote saving, which they submit to their local Iowa bank, for a chance to win local, state and national prizes. This is the first year state-level prize opportunities have been offered with the contest, and Iowa is the first state to offer this option.

Dallas Drexler of Okoboji High School in Milford submitted his video to Northwest Bank, also in Milford, and won the first-place state-level prize for his video, “Dr. D – Teen Super Spenders.” Drexler’s video also has been selected as one of eight finalists in the national contest. For his state-level win, Drexler receives $1,000 from the Iowa Bankers Association to use toward his savings goal, and an additional $250 for his school to invest in technology. The national contest winners will be announced by the American Bankers Association on Feb. 28.

Bryce McIlravy of Creston High School in Creston won the second-place state award for his video, “Broke,” submitted to Iowa State Savings Bank and First National Bank in Creston. McIlravy receives $500 to use toward his savings goal.

Karter Miller of CAL Community School in Latimer won the third-place award for her video, “Superheroes,” submitted to Hampton State Bank in Hampton. She receives $250 for her video.

“Iowa is a leader when it comes to financial literacy, and Iowa banks have a strong history of supporting financial literacy programs in their communities,” said John Sorensen, president and CEO of the Iowa Bankers Association. “This contest provides a fun and engaging way for students to learn about important financial concepts, which will benefit them for years to come. We are pleased to be able to offer this additional opportunity to Iowa students.”

A coalition of Iowa bankers from across the state worked together to launch the new state-level contest, including: Sarah Battani from Bankers Trust, Ames; Deb Gerdes, Hampton State Bank, Hampton; Lynne Hager, American Trust & Savings Bank, Dubuque; Jan Knock, Iowa State Savings Bank, Creston; Bob Mantell, TS Bank, Treynor; Jeanne Miller, US Bank, Cedar Falls; Nick Pfeiffer, MidWestOne Bank, Iowa City; and Christy Sundberg, Farmers State Bank, Marion. In addition, Tim Griesdorn of ISU Extension and Outreach, and Joanne Kuster, Iowa’s Money Smart Week chairperson, served as advisors to the coalition.

Entries for the Iowa contest were judged by Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds, Cameron McCoy of Iowa Public Television and Joanne Kuster of Money Smart Week.

Visit MyIowaBank.com to view the winning videos on the Iowa Banker’s YouTube channel.

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About the Iowa Bankers Association

The Iowa Bankers Association represents Iowa’s 340 banks and savings institutions. Iowa bankers are committed to the Iowa values of honesty, hard work and community service, and have been a trusted resource for Iowans for more than 100 years. Iowa banks offer FDIC insurance and lend more than $42 billion to help individuals, business owners and agriculture. Nearly 15,000 Iowans work at an Iowa bank, and Iowa banks donate more than $35 million and 874,000 volunteer hours to support local communities each year. To learn more about Iowa banks, visit MyIowaBank.com.

(Contact: Lori Ristau Vice President
Marketing & Communications (515) 286-4316 lristau@iowabankers.com)