Two teams from Alliance High School traveled to Kearney this Friday to participate at regionals of the Finance Challenge sponsored by the Nebraska Council on Economic Education on Saturday, April 19 at UNK. The first team of Krista Carter, Kolton Dubs, Roy Kesterson, and Ryan Waggener placed second in an online test to compete at regionals. The second team of Kendra Friesz, Anthony Hare, and Cody Nye placed fifth to compete in regionals.

The second place statewide team was Kolton Dubs, Roy Kesterson, and Ryan Waggener. “I was very surprised because I had never taken a finance class other than the EverFi online class. I was excited too because I won one thousand dollars for college,” said Kesterson when asked about his accomplishments.

On Thursday, Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg awarded students who completed Nebraska NEST (Nebraska Educational Savings Trust) Financial Scholars. Students took an online financial literacy program provided to schools by the NEST. Stenberg visited Alliance High School to congratulate the student on becoming Nebraska NEST Financial Scholars. Eighty-six students were awarded the certificate. Parents and community members were welcomed to join in and listen to the State Treasurer Stenberg and the co-president of EverFi, Sean Fitzgerald.

Nebraska NEST Financial Scholars can be accessed by Nebraska high school teachers and students through the state treasurer’s website. The program sponsored 529 college savings programs, and Stenberg announced in May 2013, that NEST would sponsor the EverFi program for schools across the state. “Two objectives guided that decision: I wanted to encourage financial literacy education statewide, and I wanted to increase awareness of the benefits of savings for college through NEST,” Stenberg said.

The school and the community have done a great job of encouraging the kids, and hope to see them continue to strive for excellence by continuing their education.