Hard work in school has paid off for Hopewell Junction resident Chad Hansen, who was selected as one of five second-place recipients of the fifth annual Citibank/Scholastic National Essay Contest. Hansen, who applied for the scholarship in November and was notified in June of his selection, received a $1,500 award.
Criteria for selection included successfully answering a two-part essay question on “Using Financial Management to Achieve a Significant Goal.” The contest was open to juniors and seniors, and according to a press release, the contest focused on the importance of literacy and financial management for children under 18.
Hansen, a graduate of John Jay High School in East Fishkill, said he first learned about the scholarship opportunity from the mother of his friend and current business partner, Chris Vasely. As a part of the contest, Hansen’s history teacher, Scott Maoriello, received a cash prize of $700 to be used toward classroom books and supplies.
At the age of 15, Hansen put all the tools his father taught him to good use, as he and Vasely, both now 18, decided to start their own landscaping business, C & C Landscaping.
“Most people were aware at John Jay that we had a business,” Hansen said. “We ordered T-shirts, made bumper stickers and fliers.”
He said the business will now primarily be a series of summer jobs, since he and Vasely are in their first year of college. Hansen is studying history at SUNY Oswego and Vasely attends SUNY Cortland.
Hansen wrote within his essay that business began for him at the age of 7, when he and his sister Courtney, first sold gallons of lemonade to neighbors and friends. Within that setting, Hansen said he learned values of kindness and respect.
Hansen also said he credits his father for his upbringing, and can remember shoveling snow, raking leaves, mowing lawns and helping with household repairs since the age of 10. Hansen was also a Boy Scout.
“My dad got me to work with my hands; he said it built character,” Hansen said.
Citibank has awarded students up to $39,500 in scholarships for the essay contest. Two first-prize winners received $15,000 each, while five second-place winners each received $1,500, and 10 third-prize winners received $200 each. Seventeen teachers of winning students each received money toward classroom supplies amounting to $10,500, collectively. Financial prizes are awarded from Citi.
Anthony Merola , senior vice president for Citi Cards, said in a written statement: “It’s essential that students learn about personal finance early so they have a foundation from which to draw upon when they have to make more difficult financial decisions in college and beyond.”
Merola’s statement also said the Credit-ED program is an initiative found in classrooms nationwide. The curriculum, created and developed by Citi in conjunction with Scholastic publishing company, provides classroom materials to teachers and guidance counselors to help 11th and 12th-grade students prepare for college with standards-based lessons involving money management and writing.
Hansen said he is grateful to Citibank.
“I’ve never received anything of this caliber,” he said. “It’s really a blessing. Without it, I don’t think I’d be able to attend SUNY Oswego.”