Hickory Creek Middle School students earn state economic awards

Hickory Creek Middle School teacher Michelle Sommer accepted state awards for former eighth grade students Allison Mauriello and Kaylee Williams.  The students earned state recognition in the Illinois Council on Economic Education’s 2012 Econ Illinois Economics Poster Contest.  The winners are now freshmen students at Lincoln-Way East High School. Frankfort Country Financial Insurance Agent and sponsor of the program, Paul Malito, presented the awards on behalf of Econ Illinois.  Malito grew up in Frankfort and is a graduate of District 157-C schools. 

In the contest, students were required to make a poster to illustrate a clear and artistic depiction of one of six economic concepts. Over 3,600 students from 56 schools drew entries for the seven regional contests. Eighty-one teachers participated this year. At the conclusion of regional judging, each regional competition submitted their top 24 entries for judging at the state level. From these entries, 12 winners were selected, along with 48 honorable mention entries. A   12-month calendar of the twelve state winning drawings is available at www.facebook.com/EconIllinois.

Along with the two Hickory Creek Middle School students earning state awards, Hickory Creek students Abby Christensen, Kate Wardenburg and Alyssa Hoselton were also recognized for their posters.

At both the regional and state levels, winning students received U.S. Savings Bonds and certificates. Teachers also receive recognition.  The regional winners, teachers and families were also honored at a reception at Governors State University.