Riya Kumar, a fourth grader from Peachtree City Elementary School, and Bradley Devin Anguiano, a fifth grader from Welch Elementary School, were among Delta Community’s 2025 Youth Essay Contest winners. The contest was open to third, fourth and fifth grade students in metro Atlanta and promoted financial responsibility at an early age by asking the young essayists, “How does saving money now help you build for the future?”

Seven winners from each grade level were chosen, and each student winner is awarded a $100 Delta Community Youth Savings Account.

In their essays Kumar and Anguiano approached the topic from a long-term perspective. Kumar described having savings as “crucially important,” and Anguiano wrote, “if people are financially prepared, then it will give them security and peace of mind.” The 21 student winners approached the topic similarly, and equated saving money to avoiding debt, dealing with emergencies and creating financial stability. Some students also wrote about how saving over time through good money habits would help them grow their wealth, leading to positive future outcomes like homeownership, a college education or starting a business.

The contest, launched in 2016, recognizes the importance of youth financial education while investing in future generations. Students from nearly 30 schools submitted essays this year, and Delta Community contacted the winners in late April to help celebrate National Youth Month.