Kevin Harvey, a senior at Chapel Hill High School in Douglasville, was named the Atlanta Money Smart Teen at the Money Smart Week kickoff luncheon at the Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta on March 29. Kevin submitted an essay on the topic of “income volatility” and earned a $3,000 scholarship from COUNTRY Financial®.

In his essay, Kevin shared examples of how a person may experience income volatility: “This economic phenomenon driven by earnings tend to rise during recessions or job loss unexpectedly. This can also occur because of a recent marriage, childbirth, or a person may be retiring,” he stated in her essay.

Kevin then provided some tips for individuals who may experience variances in income. He wrote, “You can cut expenses for wants and solely focus on needs. Another way to adjust to this change is to look for other alternatives to generate income such as working odd jobs in your area such as babysitting or having a garage sale.”

The Money Smart Essay Contest is sponsored by COUNTRY Financial, and is part of the Money Smart Week activities, which took place in Atlanta and in other cities around the country from March 31 – April 6, 2019. Second place winner for the essay contest is Natia Lindsay, a 9th grader at Salem High School in Conyers; and runner-up is Arriel Barganier, a 11th grader at Lovejoy High School in Hampton. Natia received $1,000 scholarship and Arriel received a $500 scholarship from COUNTRY Financial.

“We’d like to congratulate Kevin on his winning essay, and the runners-up as well,” said Mike Fisher, Vice President of Community Business Development at COUNTRY Financial. “The knowledge and talent of our young students is very impressive; we truly enjoyed reading their essays and their responses to a financial issue that affects many in our community.”

COUNTRY Financial has been involved with the Money Smart Kid Essay Contest since 2012.