Student Artwork Across County Touts Financial Literacy
(Oakland County, May 26, 2022)
Pontiac, MI — Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg—in partnership with Oakland Schools, Flagstar Bank and the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency—announced the 22 winners and honorable mentions for the 2022 Financial Literacy Arts Contest during a private virtual reception attended by students, family members, teachers and friends.
“This year’s art submissions were extremely creative and underscored the importance of financial education and empowerment,” said Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg. “Congratulations to the students for their extraordinary talent and incredible art entries. We again thank Flagstar Bank, Oakland Schools and the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency (OLSHA) for their tremendous support and partnership.”
Oakland County public high school students were invited to participate in the annual arts contest founded by former Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner. This year, 91 art entries were received and judged on creativity, artistic execution and the incorporation of the financial literacy theme.
“For 11 years, Flagstar Bank has been proud to sponsor this contest,” Director of Government Banking Kim Goethe said. “This investment in Oakland County students provides them an invaluable learning experience. Their impressive pieces of artwork prove how interesting, interactive and informative financial literacy can be.”
“The Financial Literacy Arts Contest is a wonderful opportunity to teach high school students important financial concepts while celebrating their creativity,” said Oakland Schools Superintendent Dr. Wanda Cook-Robinson. “The entries were impressive and demonstrated that our young people are getting a head start on understanding critical life skills. We appreciate our sponsor and community partners who help make this annual event possible.”
The winners and honorable mentions will receive cash prizes from a $10,000 contest fund provided by Flagstar Bank and will have their art displayed in the Oakland County Treasurer’s Office for a year and on the website along with all the entries.
The cash prizes are $1,000 (first place), $750 (second place), $500 (third place) and $100 (honorable mention) and the 2022 winners are:
12th Grade
- First Place – Atharva Dharphale, Troy Athens
- Second Place – Carson Bailiff, Rochester High
- Third Place – Lisa Chai, Novi High
- Honorable Mention – Angeline Ameloot, Berkley High
- Honorable Mention – Aalleyah Fysudeen, North Farmington High
- Honorable Mention – Rachel Kozlowski, Troy High
- Honorable Mention – Reese Mallon, Royal Oak High
- Honorable Mention – Natalie Rizzo, Lake Orion High
11th Grade
- First Place – Zachary Balcoff, Troy High
- Second Place – Natalie Starasinich, Clarenceville High
- Third Place – Naomi Black, Waterford Kettering
- Honorable Mention – Thalia Pierre, Bloomfield Hills High
- Honorable Mention –Dylan Ries, Lake Orion High
10th Grade
- First Place – Alicia Wang, Troy Athens
- Second Place – Alaiya Burns, Rochester Stoney Creek
- Third Place – Armaai Worlobah, Rochester High
- Honorable Mention – Furious Coleman, Southfield A & T
- Honorable Mention – Alex Henderson, Pontiac High
- Honorable Mention – Nicole Schroeder, Avondale High
9th Grade
- First Place – Sean Dimitry, Rochester High
- Second Place – Everett Baker, International Academy Bloomfield
- Third Place – Storey Huntley, International Academy Bloomfield
For more information on the arts contest and to view the winners and submissions, visit the Oakland County Treasurer’s Office website at oakgov.com/treasurer. The artwork featured for our title picture is “Eye on the Prize” by Naomi Black of Waterford Kettering H.S. which took third place in the 11th grade category. Check out all the images at https://www.oakgov.com/treasurer/financial-empowerment-center/art-contest/Pages/default.aspx