Representatives from the Rhode Island Interscholastic League and Navigant Credit Union recognized top-performing students and schools across the state as part of the second annual Financial Trivia Challenge, according to an April 1 announcement. The event saw nearly 1,800 students from 28 cities and towns participate between February 2 and March 17.
The Financial Trivia Challenge aims to promote financial literacy among high school and middle school students through a virtual competition. Students answered as many finance-related questions as possible within two minutes using an app, with opportunities to improve their scores over multiple attempts.
Amanda LaRose, Assistant Vice President of Financial Education at Navigant Credit Union, said: “Navigant Credit Union’s mission is to continue and improve the financial wellbeing of the communities we serve, and the schools are just a big part of that. When I go to schools day in and day out to talk about banking or budgeting or credit, I see it full circle . . . We’re just helping steer them in the right direction and give them some tools along the way.”
LaRose joined Robert Gaitan from Navigant Credit Union alongside RIIL representatives to deliver $10,000 in scholarships and grants. Cranston High School West received $1,250 for highest participation among high schools plus a bonus for early engagement. Burrillville Middle School earned $1,250 for similar achievements among middle schools. Individual awards included $500 for Burrillville eighth-grader Jenessa Tatro as top-scoring middle school student; additional prizes went to other high performers at Burrillville.
RIIL Executive Director Mike Lunney told Burrillville students: “At the Interscholastic League, we’re so proud of this initiative because it’s not just about sports. When you have school sports, they’re education based. That’s what we always talk about… But it’s also about what you can learn.”
Other prize recipients included William E. Tolman Senior High School’s Cody Santiago ($500), Lincoln High School ($1,000), Smithfield High School ($500), Dr. Edward R. Ricci Middle School ($1,000), Alan Shawn Feinstein Middle School ($750), and Jamestown Lawn Middle School ($250). LaRose added: “I think it’s a huge benefit to our schools and to our students that we’re partnering with [the RIIL] with this challenge because not only are our students learning, but I guarantee some of the parents and some of the family members are learning too.”
The broader impact reflects growing efforts by local organizations like Navigant Credit Union to enhance financial literacy skills among youth through interactive educational programs.
