A Jones County senior took top honors last week in a contest sponsored by the Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of Middle Georgia. Three Middle Georgia students, including Britney Smith of Jones County, were recognized for their entries in the agency’s ‘2007 Be Money Wi$e National Poster Contest’ and received their awards Friday afternoon at the Georgia Children’s Museum on Cherry Street.
The CCCS of Middle Georgia, Inc., a nonprofit credit counseling agency, in conjunction with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, sponsored the contest, which was offered as a way to educate and build awareness with young people about sound money management and financial responsibility.
CCCS Community Outreach Director Mary Ussery said the contest also provided a creative outlet for students to express themselves. The theme for the 2007 contest was ‘Plant the Seed of Saving to Grow Your Future’.
Ussery said the three winners were chosen from a pool of 175 entries. The elementary grade winner is Baylee Heard from Alexander II in Bibb County and The Georgia Children’s Museum; the middle grades winner is Chelsea Melanson from Bryon Middle in Peach County; and Smith is the high school winner and overall prize winner. Smith is a senior at Jones County High School.
Ussery presented each of these grade level winners with an MP3 Player and each has advanced within their individual grade levels to the national competition for further judging and the opportunity to win additional prizes, including a $500 savings bond and an expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C.
In addition to the MP3 Player, Smith also received a $100 Target gift card. The senior said she will use the gift card to purchase items for her room at Georgia College and State University next year.
