Naperville, Elmhurst kids win 'Money Smart' essay contest

Middle school students Akshaya Raghavan of Naperville and Zorian Schiffman of Elmhurst have been named the winners of the COUNTRY Financial Money Smart Kid Essay Contest, and each will receive a $2,500 scholarship.

The contest challenged middle school students to describe to investors how investing in the students would produce a return.

Akshaya, who attends Scullen Middle School in Naperville, weighed the risks and projected benefits of funding her college education based on her past academic success and her goal of becoming a scientist.

Zorian, who attends Sandburg Middle School in Elmhurst, asks for funding to help attain his dream job as general manager of the Chicago Cubs.