More than a dozen students at the Riverside High School in Oakland have received recognition for their performance in a voluntary online, national test for financial literacy. According to Riverside Social Studies Teacher Mandie Reynolds, students at Riverside High School were among the over 80,000 students from across the country who participated in the 2012 National Financial Capability Challenge organized by the U.S. Departments of Treasury and Education. 

13 of the schools’ students were recognized as being in among the top 20% of all students taking exam nationally, which represents 40% of the students who took the exam at Riverside scoring in the top 20% of the nation. 

The high-achieving students included: Kevin Collins; Dannielle Easton; Jacie Feigenbutz; Brea Fender; RJ Griger; John Gunderson; Clay Harris; Mack Housman; Samantha Keast; Alexander McLaughlin; Joshua Mills; Marissa Rose, and Elisabeth Seifert.  In addition, students who scored in the top 10% of the nation were given special recognition, and two students from Riverside achieved the honor: Jacie Feigenbutz and Alexander McLaughlin. 

In addition, as part of the National Financial Capability Challenge, students as well as school districts were eligible for a drawing for scholarship money and prizes.  Riverside was fortunate enough to receive a $1,000 cash prize from Iowa Student Loan, in coordination with the Iowa Department of Education, Iowa Jump$tart, Junior Achievement of Central Iowa, and the Iowa College Access Network.

Reynolds said in the Riverside Community School District, they know that financial education is important, as often times, too few students graduate with the knowledge and skills they need to make basic financial decisions for themselves, their families, and their communities.

For more information on the NFC Challenge, go to http://www.challenge.treas.gov/