WILKES-BARRE, PA — Timothy L. DeFoor on Monday honored a Wilkes-Barre ninth grader whose artwork has become the face of Pennsylvania’s newest financial literacy activity book, spotlighting a statewide push to help families better understand money management.
Olivia Green, a student at Wilkes-Barre Area High School, was selected as the winner of this year’s Be Money $mart student art contest, earning top honors among nearly 220 submissions from across the Commonwealth. Her artwork appears on the cover of the newly released activity book, which is designed to help students and caregivers plan for their financial future.
“I’d like to congratulate Olivia on being selected as the winner of this year’s competition,” DeFoor said. He said financial literacy has been a personal priority for decades and called the new activity book another valuable resource for Pennsylvanians learning how to manage money.
DeFoor presented Green with a letter of commendation and a copy of the book. Her artwork was also unveiled at the Auditor General’s booth during the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show.
In addition to Green’s winning entry, eight finalists from across the state were recognized, representing a wide range of grade levels and counties. The finalists included students from York, Luzerne, Lebanon, Philadelphia, Blair, and Lancaster counties.
The activity book was produced in partnership with several Be Money $mart collaborators, including the Pennsylvania Alliance of YMCAs, the Pennsylvania Library Association, CrossState Credit Union Association, and the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry.
Copies of the financial literacy activity book are available at www.paauditor.gov/activitybook.
DeFoor launched the Be Money $mart initiative in 2021 to promote financial literacy education statewide and highlight free resources available to Pennsylvanians. Over the past five years, the initiative has expanded to include classroom visits, statewide student competitions, partnerships with universities, libraries, YMCAs, and credit unions, and public outreach aimed at helping residents of all ages build financial skills and confidence.
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