TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – A few Topeka students received financial literacy scholarships from the Kansas Department of Insurance (KDI), Commissioner Vicki Schmidt announced in a press release on Monday, April 7.
The KDI granted $10,000 to Junior Achievement (JA) designated for a financial literacy essay contest in which the top three student essays split a share of the grant in scholarship funds. The contest was sponsored by the Securities Division of the department.
The winners are:
1st Place, $5,000 – Cora Genovese, Washburn Rural High School
2nd Place, $3,000 – Makenna Stuke, Seaman High School
3rd Place, $2,000 – Caleb Alvarez, Topeka High School
This year’s winners showed strong knowledge of investment fraud risks and how to apply techniques designed to stop scammers,” said Commissioner Schmidt. “The essays show that Junior Achievement students are obtaining practical money skills that will serve them well in adulthood.”
The KDI stated that the first-place essay will join two other winners from the Kansas Council for Economic Education and Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas to compete for the overall winner of the contest and an additional scholarship of $5,000.
“At Junior Achievement, we’re committed to empowering students through educational experiences that build strong financial literacy skills. We’re incredibly proud of the talented students who participated in our Personal Finance Symposium and took on the challenge of the Kansas Department of Insurance scholarship essay challenge” said President of Junior Achievement of Kansas Sarah Dunekack. “It’s inspiring to see their hard work recognized, and we’re honored to partner with the Kansas Department of Insurance to support our youth.”
Copyright 2025 WIBW. All rights reserved.