Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg Honored the 2025 Financial Empowerment Arts Contest Winners

• More than 130 Oakland County high school students from 21 public schools submitted original artwork that explored personal finance, decision-making and the value of financial empowerment.

• Cash prizes were awarded at each grade level-including honorable mentions-with support from financial sponsor Flagstar Bank, which provided a $10,000 prize pool. Winning entries were selected based on their creativity, artistic execution and effectiveness in conveying the theme of financial empowerment.

• Winning entries will be displayed at the Oakland County Treasurer's Office and website, showcasing student voices and original interpretations of financial empowerment.

Pontiac, Mich., May 15, 2025-Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg-in partnership with Oakland Schools, Flagstar Bank and the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency-honored the winners and honorable mentions of the 2025 Financial Empowerment Arts Contest during a private awards reception at Flagstar Bank Headquarters in Troy, Mich.

This year's contest welcomed 134 submissions from 21 public high schools across Oakland County, including four new participating schools. Student artists were invited to submit original work that reflected the theme of financial empowerment through drawing, painting, photography, mixed media, video and illustration.

"Congratulations to this year's winners and to every student who participated in the contest," said Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg. "The submissions were thoughtful and reflected a wide range of voices and creative approaches. The clarity demonstrated in expressing financial empowerment was incredible. We also thank the teachers and advisors who encouraged and guided their students throughout the process. And we're grateful to Flagstar Bank, Oakland Schools and OLHSA for their continued partnership and supporting educational opportunities beyond the classroom."

Winning entries were selected based on creativity, artistic execution, and how effectively each piece communicated key financial concepts such as budgeting, saving, investing, and planning for the future.

"What we're really celebrating today isn't just artistic talent-it's potential," said Beth Correa, EVP, Director for Corporate Responsibility, Flagstar Bank. "These students have expressed themselves with creativity and courage, and that deserves recognition. At Flagstar, we believe in opening doors-for learning, for self-expression, and for financial empowerment. To the students who shared their work with us: thank you. Your voices matter, and your future is bright. We're proud to support your journey."

"I am incredibly proud of our students for using their creativity to explore such an important life skill-financial literacy," said Oakland Schools Superintendent Kenneth Gutman. "Through art, they brought complex concepts like saving, budgeting, and financial decision-making to life in thoughtful, powerful ways. Congratulations to all participants and winners from our public schools-your voices and visions truly inspire."

The winners and honorable mentions will receive cash prizes from a $10,000 contest fund provided by Flagstar Bank. The winning artwork will be displayed for one year in the Oakland County Treasurer's Office and featured online with all student entries.

The cash prizes are $1,000 (first place), $750 (second place), $500 (third place) and $100 (honorable mention), and the 2025 winners are:

The 2025 winners and honorable mentions are:

12th Grade

• First Place - Peter Brandal, Farmington High School
• Second Place - Sophia Karras, Rochester Stoney Creek High School
• Third Place - Jasmine Orser, Rochester High School
• Honorable Mention - Kennedy Hopkin, West Bloomfield High School
• Honorable Mention - Paola Trujillo Garcia, Lake Orion High School
• Honorable Mention - Momoko Paris, Rochester High School

11th Grade

• First Place - Annie Zhao, International Academy
• Second Place - Valeria Arroniz Ramos, Lake Orion High School
• Third Place - Amelia Meier, Rochester High School
• Honorable Mention - Olivia Beltran, Rochester High School
• Honorable Mention - Stella Mazei, Lake Orion High School
• Honorable Mention - Hallie Garner, OSTC-NW

10th Grade

• First Place - Eunchae Shin, Rochester High School
• Second Place - Lei Peng, West Bloomfield High School
• Third Place - Aydan Pringle, Lake Orion High School
• Honorable Mention - Ameliya Rodriguez, Lake Orion High School

9th Grade

• First Place - Ava Wagner, Waterford Mott High School
• Second Place - Oviya Karthikeyan, Novi High School
• Third Place - Ana Rodriguez-Andrade, Troy Athens High School
• Honorable Mention - Irving Palomet Dorantes, Rochester High School

For more information about the contest and to view this year's submissions, visit the Oakland County Treasurer's website at oakgov.com/arts.

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Media Contacts:

Ainsley Lengerich

Oakland Schools

Ainsley.Lengerich@oakland.k12.mi.us

248.209.2114

Renée T. Walker

Oakland County Treasurer's Office

walkerr@oakgov.com

313.719.8038

Steven Bodakowski

Flagstar Bank

248.312.5872