• 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 2023 Financial Empowerment Arts Contest, formerly the Financial Literacy Arts Contest, during a private reception held at the Flagstar Bank Regional Headquarters in Troy, Mich.

• A record 160 Oakland County public high school student art submissions were received in various mediums—including drawing, painting, photography, mixed media, video and illustration—focusing on the different aspects of financial empowerment. Three students who won in 2022 are among this year’s winners and honorable mentions.

• The winners and honorable mentions will receive cash prizes from a $10,000 contest fund provided by Flagstar Bank. The cash prizes are $1,000 (first place), $750 (second place), $500 (third place) and $100 (honorable mention). The winning art is displayed in the Oakland County Treasurer’s Office for a year and on the website, along with all student entries.
  
  Pontiac, Mich., May 25, 2023, — 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 2023 Financial Empowerment Arts Contest during a private reception attended by students, family members, teachers and friends held at Flagstar Bank’s Corporate Branch and Home Loan Center in Troy, Mich.
  
  “Congratulations to all the students who participated in and won the 2023 Financial Empowerment Arts Contest,” said Robert Wittenberg, the Treasurer of Oakland County. “The students showcased their exceptional skills, creativity, artistry, and talent, which helped raise awareness about the significance of financial empowerment. We sincerely appreciate Oakland Schools, Flagstar Bank, and the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency (OLSHA) for their continuous commitment and partnership in making this annual contest a success.”
  
  Oakland County public high school students were invited to participate in the arts contest. This year, the contest name changed to the Financial Empowerment Arts Contest to raise awareness about the importance of controlling personal finances and making informed decisions about managing money to achieve future goals.
  
  “This showcase of creativity demonstrates what can happen when students open their minds to the dynamic world of financial literacy,” said Heidi Mekjian, SVP, Group Manager of Treasury Management at Flagstar Bank. “When students are able to understand the importance of financial literacy early on, they can be better equipped at managing their money and making wise choices in the future. Flagstar is proud to continue its longstanding support of Oakland County Schools and the Financial Empowerment Arts Contest.”
  
  “I am very proud of the 160 Oakland County high school students that created and submitted their artwork for the 2023 Financial Empowerment Arts Contest,” said Oakland Schools’ Superintendent Dr. Wanda Cook-Robinson. “This contest provides a healthy outlet for students to be recognized for their artistic talents while having an opportunity to learn about financial literacy and earn some prize money.”
  
  A record 160 art entries were received and judged on creativity, artistic execution and the incorporation of the financial empowerment theme. Three students were recognized in 2022 and again this year.
  
  The winners and honorable mentions will receive cash prizes from a $10,000 contest fund provided by Flagstar Bank. The artworks are displayed in the Oakland County Treasurer’s Office for a year and on the website, along with all student 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 – Trinity Pearson, Avondale High School
  • Second Place – Cleo Randall, Rochester High School
  • Third Place – Erika Alvarado, Pontiac High School
  • Honorable Mention – Lauren Alston, Walled Lake Northern High School
  • Honorable Mention – Bryn Hazen, Berkley High School/CASA Oil
  • Honorable Mention – Naomi Black, Waterford Kettering High School (11th-grade, third-place winner in 2022)
  • Honorable Mention – Immanuel Parker, Southfield A&T High School
  
  11th Grade
  • First Place – Oliver Mutart, Rochester Adams High School
  • Second Place – Antonette Rachal, OTC-Northwest
  • Third Place – Alicia Wang, Troy Athens High School (10th-grade, first-place winner in 2022)
  • Honorable Mention – Sophie Palmkoeck, Troy Athens High School
  • Honorable Mention – Emma Dalton, Lake Orion High School
  
  10th Grade
  • First Place – Sean Dimitry, Rochester High School (9th-grade, first-place winner in 2022)
  • Second Place – Sophia Karras, Rochester Stoney Creek High School
  • Third Place – Julia Kozik, Lake Orion High School
  • Honorable Mention – Layla Rogers, Ferndale High School
  • Honorable Mention – Sophia Long, Lake Orion High School
  
  9th Grade
  • First Place – Ryo Salter, Royal Oak High School
  • Second Place – Annie Zhao, International Academy East High School
  • Third Place – Cayden Dancel, Rochester High School
  • Honorable Mention – Eva Houston, Royal Oak High School
  • Honorable Mention – Reagan Heflin, Milford High School
  
  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.

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For interviews or high-resolution images, please contact:

Renée T. Walker
walkerr@oakgov.com
313.719.8038