For Immediate Release – May 16, 2025
New York, NY — Working in Support of Education (W!se) is excited to announce the winners of its 2025 Financial Literacy Video Contest, a creative initiative designed to promote financial literacy among high school students. Generously sponsored by Bread Financial®, the contest was expanded from New York City to students throughout New York State.
After several rounds of rigorous judging, five videos stood out for their quality and creativity.
They also excelled in delivering a compelling message about sound money management. The five winners are:
- First Place: Thai Merritt, HS of Art and Design, NYC; Teacher: Hanan Harchol
- Second Place: Shifa Rabaja, Thomas Edison CTE HS, NYC, Teacher: Sandra Cruz
- Third Place: Jillian Klemann, Fredonia Central, Chautauqua County, Teacher: Daniel Darrell-Sterbak
- Fourth Place: Milo Rhames, HS of Art and Design, NYC Teacher: Michael Bridenstine
- Fifth Place: William Baran, HS of Art and Design, NYC, Teacher: Hanan Harchol
Each of these students and teachers will receive cash prizes.
Three other videos received honorable mention:
• Matthew Olivier from Shenendehowa High School, Teacher: Melinda Mellon
• Jason Ye from High School of Economics and Finance, Teacher: Hiro Shinohara
• Isabelle Bar-Lev from High School of Art and Design, Teacher Michael Bridenstine
“We are thrilled with the continued success of our Financial Literacy Video Contest,” said David Anderson, President and CEO, W!se. “The quality and creativity of this year’s submissions were truly outstanding. With more students participating and new award categories, we’re proud that high school students are helping to spread essential financial knowledge with their peers. We are deeply grateful to Bread Financial for their ongoing support and partnership.”
New award categories were introduced this year to recognize effort and broader range of talent:
- Principal Award: Moses A. Ojeda from Thomas A. Edison Career & Technical Education High School
- Best Storyteller Award: Thai Merritt from High School of Art and Design, Teacher: Hanan Harchol
Students were invited to create short videos on personal finance topics. This year’s prompts included: making three financial promises to their future selves and how they would keep them; creating a lesson (as if they were a personal finance teacher) on budgeting, credit, needs vs. wants, or investing; and explaining the benefits and risks of saving and investing as tools for reaching financial goals.
“At Bread Financial, we embrace the unique opportunity we have to promote and support the financial wellness of our customers, associates and communities by empowering them to build financial confidence,” stated Dana Beckman, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer at Bread Financial. “It is with great pride that we support W!se and this competition for the second year. We were thoroughly impressed with the submissions, which showcase how an important topic like financial literacy can be both education and enjoyable. The work W!se is doing helps create a strong foundation for these students that will last for years to come.”
To view the winning videos, click here.
About Working in Support of Education (W!se)
Working in Support of Education (W!se) is a leading educational nonprofit based in New York City with a mission to improve the lives of young people and at-risk adults through programs that develop financial literacy and readiness for college and the workforce. For more information, visit wise-ny.org. Follow W!se on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @wisenewyork.
About Bread Financial®
Bread Financial® (NYSE: BFH) is a tech-forward financial services company that provides simple, personalized payment, lending and saving solutions to millions of U.S. consumers. Our payment solutions, including Bread Financial general purpose credit cards and savings products, empower our customers and their passions for a better life. Additionally, we deliver growth for some of the most recognized brands in travel & entertainment, health & beauty, jewelry and specialty apparel through our private label and co-brand credit cards and pay-over-time products providing choice and value to our shared customers.
To learn more about Bread Financial, our global associates and our sustainability commitments, visit breadfinancial.com or follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn.