2011 volunteer LifeSmarts officials stand behind RI State Champions. (Seated left to right) Megan Morrow (Captain), Addie Bodell, Maggie Savoie, Olivia Davis-Wilson, Carolyn Impagliazzo, and Coach Catherine DiChiaro (standing center).
Contact: Jim Hedemark | Executive Director
RI JumpStart Coalition
401.385.9411
director@rijumpstart.com
Ladies of The Lincoln School
Claim 2011 RI Consumer Cup
Five High School Students Qualify for National LifeSmarts Competition in Hollywood
Friday, March 11th, 2011 – Rhode Island State House – The Rhode Island Jump$tart Coalition hosted the 7th Annual State LifeSmarts competition nicknamed CollegeBoundfund “March Smartness” which is a game-show format program complete with brackets and buzzers that rewards teenagers for their knowledge of consumer issues. The Lincoln School (Providence, RI) has won the state competition, claimed the Consumer Cup and earned the right to represent Rhode Island at the National LifeSmarts competition in Hollywood, CA, April 30 to May 3, 2011.
The “Lincoln Lynx” team is comprised of high school students, Megan Morrow (Captain), Addie Bodell, Maggie Savoie, Olivia Davis-Wilson, Carolyn Impagliazzo, and is coached by Lincoln School teacher, Catherine DiChiaro. The Lynx bested eight other teams, going undefeated all day, in the double elimination competition answering questions in five key consumer knowledge areas; personal finance, technology, environment, health & safety, and consumer rights and responsibilities.
The 2011 “March Smartness” Rhode Island Final Four included North Smithfield High School in second place, Barrington High School in third place, and East Greenwich in fourth place.
High schools also competing in the competition included, Burrillville, Coventry, Lincoln, North Providence, and the Rhode Island National Guard Child and Youth Program which is comprised of students from several schools and a student who is home schooled. A printable roster of teams can be found here.
Peter Kerwin, chief of program development for CollegeBoundfund, Rhode Island’s 529 college savings program said, “Once again, we are extremely proud to be affiliated with Rhode Island’s LifeSmarts program. Our goal is to not only to provide a trusted college savings vehicle, but also to help students fully understand that college is one of the most important consumer decisions that they will make in their lives. The LifeSmarts program goes a long way to advance this effort.”
"We are counting on this generation to be the entrepreneurs who will power tomorrow's economy. A solid foundation in financial responsibility will help ensure that our young people have the resources to make their dreams come true," said Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis, who has helped to promote the LifeSmarts program of the past several years.
Attorney General Peter Kilmartin serves as the program’s honorary statewide captain. Tammy Miller, Director of the Consumer Protection Unit of the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General kicked off the competition by applauding students for their involvement in LifeSmarts and encouraged them to make a lifelong commitment to consumer savvy. She also mentioned that her office was proud to be a part of this event, especially as it falls during National Consumer Protection Week.
“It’s never too early to learn how to protect from being a victim of consumer fraud or identity theft,” said Attorney General Peter Kilmartin. “Through programs like the annual LifeSmarts competition, our young people are becoming savvy consumers. It is important to protect yourself and your identity, and, it is important to know your consumer rights. Armed with the right tools, you can prevent yourself from being a victim of consumer fraud or identity theft.”
General Treasurer Gina M. Raimondo spoke to participating students during the competition certificate ceremony.
“It was great to be with so many energetic high school students at today’s LifeSmarts competition,” said General Treasurer Gina M. Raimondo. “Programs like this are an excellent opportunity for students to learn the importance of managing their personal finances.”
LifeSmarts is a national program of the National Consumers League and is managed in Rhode Island by the Rhode Island Jump$tart Coalition Teams are coached by high school teachers and youth program organizers who selected their teams during an online quiz portion of the competition that has run for the past two months.
Twenty volunteer officials served at the Rhode Island LifeSmarts competition in various roles representing academic, business, and civic sectors.
Sponsors making the event possible include: Major Sponsor, CollegeBoundfund, Rhode Island’s 529 college savings plan administered by the Rhode Island Higher Education Assistance Authority, The Financial Planning Association of Rhode Island, and the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals, AFT, AFL-CIO.
The RI Jump$tart Coalition (www.rijumpstart.org) is a nonprofit organization of academic, business, and civic leaders who advocate for youth personal financial education.
