Auditor General DeFoor Celebrates Winner of Student Art Contest at Wilkes-Barre Area High School

Wilkes-Barre, PA - Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor today celebrated Olivia Green, a 9th grader from Wilkes-Barre Area High School, for being selected as the winner of this year's Be Money $mart student art contest. Olivia's artwork is featured on the cover of the department's brand-new financial literacy activity book, designed to help students and their caregivers learn how to plan for their financial future.

"I'd like to congratulate Olivia on being selected as the winner of this year's competition," Auditor General DeFoor said. "Financial literacy is something I've been passionate about for decades, so I'm thrilled to have yet another resource available that Pennsylvanians can use to learn about money. I'd like to thank our finalists, their families and teachers, and all students who submitted a drawing to show us what being Money $mart means to them."

Auditor General DeFoor presented Olivia with a letter of commendation and her own copy of the activity book. Her artwork was also unveiled and featured at the Auditor General's booth at the 2026 PA Farm Show.

Olivia's artwork was selected out of nearly 220 submissions. In addition to the winning entry, eight finalists were chosen and recognized:

• Olivia Green, 9th Grade, Luzerne County (winner)

• Henry Reilly, 8th Grade, York County

• Abigail Thompson, 10th Grade, Luzerne County

• Aaron Siregar, 8th Grade, Lebanon County

• Milania Rohozhynska, 4th Grade, Philadelphia County

• Elizabeth Kalista, 3rd Grade, Blair County

• Orliemily Medina Padron, 9th Grade, Luzerne County

• Briana Curty, 9th Grade, Lancaster County

The activity book is being produced with 'Be Money $mart' partners, including the Pennsylvania Alliance of YMCAs, the Pennsylvania Library Association, CrossState Credit Union Association and the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry.

To get your copy of the activity book, visit www.paauditor.gov/activitybook.

Auditor General DeFoor has spent nearly five years promoting financial literacy through his Be Money $mart initiative, which raises awareness about the need for financial literacy education in Pennsylvania and highlights free resources that people can use on their journey to financial freedom.

Since 'Be Money $mart' launched in 2021, Auditor General DeFoor has:

• Launched a statewide art contest for students to design the cover of a financial literacy activity book;

• Partnered with Harrisburg University of Science and Technology and Members 1st Federal Credit Union to coordinate a statewide financial literacy competitionfor high school students;   

• Met with teachers and students in high school classrooms across Pennsylvania in recognition of successful financial literacy learning opportunities;

• Visited all state and state related universities in Pennsylvania, as well as community colleges, to talk about job and internship opportunities within the department and the importance of knowing how your money works; 

• Moderated financial literacy panels for community organizations, the agriculture industry and local chambers of commerce;

• Partnered with the Pennsylvania Library Association to highlight free financial literacy resources and the PA Forward program;

• Visited YMCAs across the Commonwealth to talk about financial literacy for all ages; 

• Worked with Junior Achievementto emphasize financial literacy messages to elementary school students and participated in multiple BizTown simulations; and

• Partnered with CrossState Credit Union Association and other credit unions and financial institutions across the state to promote free financial literacy resources, including hosting 'Money $mart Mondays' with PSECU.

To learn more about our department, our 'Be Money $mart' initiative or to locate audits affecting your community, visit our website.

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Media contact: April Hutcheson, 717-787-1381 or [email protected]