• Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg—in partnership with Oakland Schools, Flagstar Bank and the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency—will announce the 22 winners and honorable mentions for the 2024 Financial Empowerment Arts Contest today during a private reception held at the Flagstar Bank Headquarters in Troy, Mich. 

• This year, 144 Oakland County public high school student art submissions were received from 17 high schools, representing various mediums—including drawing, painting, photography, mixed media, video and illustration—focusing on the different aspects of financial empowerment.

• The winners and honorable mentions will receive cash prizes from a $10,000 contest fund provided by Flagstar Bank.  The cash prizes are $1,000 (first place), $750 (second place), $500 (third place) and $100 (honorable mention). The winning art is displayed in the Oakland County Treasurer’s Office for a year and on the website, along with all student entries.

Pontiac, Mich., May 2, 2024 — Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg—in partnership with Oakland Schools, Flagstar Bank and the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency—will announce the 22 winners and honorable mentions for the 2024 Financial Empowerment Arts Contest today during a private reception attended by students, family members, teachers and friends held at the Flagstar Bank Headquarters in Troy, Mich.

“My heartfelt congratulations to the incredibly talented student artists who participated in and won the 2024 Financial Empowerment Arts Contest. The exceptional talent and creativity showcased by the student artists are awe-inspiring and reflect the importance of financial empowerment,” said Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg. “We are tremendously grateful for the unwavering support and partnership of Flagstar Bank, Oakland Schools, and the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency in making this annual contest a success.

Oakland County public high school students were invited to showcase their artistic talent and raise awareness about managing personal finances and making informed decisions about debt, saving and planning to achieve their goals.

“This is a special day in the lives of these students and Flagstar is proud to celebrate these gifted young artists. We have a long history of empowering our customers and local communities to take charge and thrive, providing opportunities for people to discover and develop their creative abilities,” said Jennifer Moll, Flagstar Bank’s relationship manager of government banking. “Thank you to every one of our 144 talented participants and partners who worked to not only elevate young artists but also grow financial competency that will serve these students well throughout the rest of their lives.”

"We are thrilled to recognize the talents of 22 exceptional students across Oakland County in this year's Financial Empowerment Arts Contest. Each piece of art showcases creativity and skill and an understanding of financial empowerment that is essential for our youth, said Oakland Schools Superintendent Dr. Wanda Cook-Robinson. “Thanks to Flagstar Bank, Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency, and the ongoing support from the Oakland County Treasurer's Office, these young artists deserve the recognition they receive for their impressive work.”

The 144 art entries received from 17 high schools were judged on creativity, artistic execution and the incorporation of the financial empowerment theme. The winners and honorable mentions will receive cash prizes from a $10,000 contest fund provided by Flagstar Bank. The artworks are displayed in the Oakland County Treasurer’s Office for a year and on the website, along with all student entries.

The cash prizes are $1,000 (first place), $750 (second place), $500 (third place) and $100 (honorable mention), and the 2024 winners are:

12th Grade

• First Place - Jessica Wong, Troy Athens High School
• Second Place - Chiara Palomera, Rochester Adams High School
• Third Place - Juyeon Han, Rochester High School
• HM - Wade Harnack, Waterford Kettering High School
• HM - Hyelin Jeong, Rochester Adams High School
• HM - Mason Johnson, Southfield A & T High School
• HM - Reid Weaver, North Farmington High School

11th Grade

• First Place - Sophia Karras, Rochester Stoney Creek
• Second Place - Sage Booth, Bloomfield Hills High School
• Third Place - Paola Trujillo Garcia, Lake Orion High School
• HM - Evangeline Cobb, OSTC-NW
• HM - Sean Dimitry, Rochester High School
• HM - Kennedy Warhus, Brandon High School 
• Hm - Abigail Boroff, Waterford Kettering High School

10th Grade

• First Place -   Annie Zhao, International Academy East 
• Second Place - Amelia Meier, Rochester High School
• Third Place - Tyler Toth, Lake Orion High School
• HM - Joangely Rodriguez  Waterford Kettering

9th Grade

• First Place – Aiden Brock, Royal Oak High School 
• Second Place - Natalie Browning, Royal Oak High School
• Third Place - Eunchae Shin, Rochester High School
• HM - Robyn Toenniges, Royal Oak High School          

For more information on the arts contest and to view the winners and submissions, visit the Oakland County Treasurer’s Office website at oakgov.com/treasurer. 

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For interviews or more information, please contact:

Hedy Blatt, Oakland Schools
Hedy.Blatt@oakland.k12.mi.us
248.763.1437

Renée T. Walker
walkerr@oakgov.com
313.719.8038