First Grade Youth Financial Literacy Piggy Bank Pageant contest begins

April is Youth Financial Literacy Month. North Dakota State University Extension in Foster and Eddy counties, local banks and credit unions are partnering with schools in Carrington and New Rockford to provide a lesson to first grade students on earning, spending and saving. The goal of the program is for students to learn positive money behaviors at an early age. As part of the lesson, each student is provided with a piggy bank that is theirs to keep. They decorate the bank for a "Piggy Bank Pageant" contest.

The piggy banks are displayed at Bank Forward and New Rockford Community Credit Union from April 3 to April 19, 2024. As part of the lesson that was presented at school, the students set a savings goal that is displayed along with the student's entry. Community members and customers can vote on their favorite piggy banks by placing coins in the slot of the piggy banks.

Mrs. Ystaas's students with the last name starting with letters "A to H" will be displayed at Bank Forward; students with the last name starting with letters "L to Z" will be displayed at New Rockford Community Credit Union.

All students are able keep their "votes" at the close of the contest on Friday, April 19, 2024. The first, second and third place winners at each financial institution will be awarded a cash prize, with winners to be named in a press release.