Amber Zayed, an 8th grader at Hadley Junior High School in Glen Ellyn, receives $500 from Itasca Bank & Trust Co. as Runner Up in DuPage Money Smart Kid Essay Contest

mber Zayed, an 8th grader at Hadley Junior High School in Glen Ellyn, wants to be a business person, perhaps a CEO. Already showing her financial skills, she wrote an essay on the difference between an investment and an expense and what makes a good community investment to become runner-up and winner of a $500 prize from Itasca Bank & Trust Co. in the DuPage Money Smart Kid essay contest.

During the 12th annual Money Smart Week DuPage, which took place April 20-27, 2013, DuPage residents can get money saving advice at more than 45 events. Money Smart Week is a public awareness campaign designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances. This is achieved through the collaboration and coordinated effort of organizations across the county including businesses, financial institutions, schools, libraries, not-for-profits, government agencies and the media. These groups come together once a year to stress the importance of financial literacy, inform consumers about where they can get help and provide free educational seminars and activities. For more information, visit moneysmartweek.org and click on Find an Event, then on Illinois and select DuPage County.