Kentucky Teen Named Grand Prize Winner of National Teen Video Contest

The American Bankers Association Foundation today announced the winner of the national Lights, Camera, Save! teen video contest. Lela Ashley, a 16-year-old at George Rogers Clark High School in Lexington, Ky., achieved first place for her entry, “Lights, Camera, Save! Press Conference” in addition to the $5,000 prize money. Other submissions that placed in the contest can be viewed via a video that is posted to ABA’s Instagram page.

Lights, Camera, Save! is a national contest that encourages teens aged 13 to 18 years old to communicate the value of sound money management in a 30-second or less video. This free competition is one of ABA Foundation’s most popular financial education initiatives — this year 270 banks in 47 states including Washington, D.C. participated.

Ashley’s video was selected after two rounds of judging at the national level including public voting via Instagram. The video mimics a sports press conference while informing viewers that to be a “Financial MVP,” you need be prepared by having a budget and starting to save early. Ashley uses sports terminology to emphasize the importance of having automatic savings, tracking spending and keeping an eye on your credit score. Ashley advanced to the national competition after winning the local contest at a Burke & Herbert Bank branch located in Winchester, Ky. This is the second year in a row that a contestant has won participating through Burke & Herbert Bank, with last year’s winner coming through its branch in Alexandria, Va., where the bank is headquartered.

“Burke & Herbert Bank has a long-standing commitment to financial literacy and the importance of developing smart money habits early. We are delighted to see Lela Ashley get recognized for using her financial know-how and creativity to encourage other teens to use money wisely,” said Charlie Maddy, Burke & Herbert Bank President. “As a community bank, we are honored to participate in this program, which helps encourage financial literacy throughout all our markets. Congratulations Lela!”

The ABA Foundation also announced the selected second and third place winners today. Second place was awarded to Wyland Hofer, 17, from Cambria Heights High School who won the local contest at AmeriServ Financial in Johnston, Pa. Jonah Johnston, 16, earned third place for “Beware of Scams” through Centreville Bank's local competition in Warwick, R.I.

“We are thrilled to congratulate this year’s Lights, Camera, Save! winner Lela, and the other finalists for their insightful videos that promote financial education among their peers in unique and creative ways,” said Lindsay Torrico, executive director, ABA Foundation. “I hope they continue to lead by example and encourage their peers to save money, build their credit and avoid scams now and in the future. We also want to thank all the banks across the country that participated in this year's competition.”

First Place Winner—$5,000

LCS Press Conference

Lela Ashley (George Rogers Clark High School, Winchester, Ky.)

Burke and Herbert Bank (Alexandria, Va.)

Second Place Winner—$2,500 

Build Your Credit, Build Your Future

Wyland Hofer (Cambria Heights High School, Patton, Pa.)

AmeriServ Financial (Johnston, Pa.)

Third Place Winner—$1,000

Beware of Scams

Jonah Johnston (Warwick Area Career and Technical Center, Warwick, R.I.)

Centreville Bank (Warwick, R.I.)

In addition to the national Lights, Camera, Save! contest, the ABA Foundation also honors a “Banker’s Choice” winner that was voted on by attendees at ABA’s Conference for Community Bankers in Phoenix last week.  This year’s Bankers Choice winner was Jonah Johnston for his “Beware of Scams” video (submitted through Centreville Bank in Warwick, R.I.).

Since 1997, the ABA Foundation’s financial education initiatives have reached millions of people through its banker presentations. Current Foundation programs include:

• Teach Children to Save
• Lights, Camera, Save!
• Get Smart About Credit
• Safe Banking for Seniors

Participation in all of the ABA Foundation programs is available free of charge to ABA member banks and nonmember banks.

Note to Editors: Click here to view the grand prize announcement video and national finalists.