LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.,
Aug. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- More
than 1,300 children, ages 5 – 12, participated in Astoria Federal
Savings sixth annual essay contest, by completing the statement:
"If I save a lot today, in the future I could..."
This year's contest was Astoria Federal Savings' largest ever, and
was part of the fun and educational Teach Children to Save
celebrations conducted in every neighborhood branch throughout
Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110805/NY48174 )
Of the essays received, judges selected seven top winners and
one local winner from each branch location. The grand-prize
winner was 11-year-old Brandon
Feuerstein of Plainview, who received a new laptop
computer, which was presented at a recent awards reception. Adding
to the excitement of having a grand-prize winning student,
Brandon's Middle School Principal John
McNamara and Fifth Grade Teacher Carole Green from Plainview
Old Bethpage Middle School were presented with a laptop for the
school's use.
In his essay, Brandon writes that with his savings he plans to
build a theater in New York City
called "Stars of Today," to help people with disabilities and
special needs achieve their dreams of being involved in the
theater. "I will not judge these kids by how they look,"
Brandon says, and he hopes they will become "legendary and star on
Broadway!"
Three first-place winners were chosen, and each received
a $500 Savings Bond. They are:
- 7-year-old Kathryn
Postiglione of Lynbrook, Nassau
- 9-year-old Hafsa Hossain of
Richmond Hill, Queens
- 11-year-old Anthony Sutich of
Whitestone, Queens
Three second-place winners were chosen, and each received
a $250 Savings Bond. They are:
- 5-year-old Peter Jon Kakalos
of North Merrick, Nassau
- 8-year-old Haaris Ajaz of Brooklyn
- 11-year-old Lauren Secilmis
of Sunnyside, Queens
Every child who was selected as a local winner from their
community branch won a $50 U.S.
Savings Bond, a Teach Children to Save Celebration Award
Certificate and medal. All of the winners were invited to their
local Astoria Federal Savings branches to receive their awards.
Most of the young writers said they wished to make the world a
better place. They would use their saved money for college and to
help their families financially, save the environment, stamp out
hunger and disease, and help others less fortunate. In general,
they all recognized that the first step to becoming successful is
to work hard in school and get a good education.
"We were thrilled to see so many children participate in the
contest, and their essays were really unique and impressive.
Through partnerships with local schools, we reached out to
thousands of students to teach them about making smart financial
choices, starting at a young age," said Astoria Federal Savings
Senior Vice President and Director of Marketing Brian Edwards. "This contest is a great way to
follow through on that important message and get children to think
about their goals for the future and also what it will take to get
there."
Astoria Federal Savings' Education First initiatives
include the Student Savers and Bank-at-School
programs, as well as the Kids Tools for School Collection
Drive to help children be prepared on the first day of school by
providing them with new school supplies, and The First Home Club™
to promote homeownership. These programs and others were all
designed to encourage lifelong learning. For additional information
about Astoria Federal Savings' Education First financial
literacy programs, please call 1-800-ASTORIA.
Astoria Financial Corporation (NYSE: AF), with assets of
$17.1 billion, is the holding company
for Astoria Federal Savings and Loan Association. Established in
1888, Astoria Federal, with deposits in New York totaling $11.2
billion, is the largest thrift depository in New York and embraces its philosophy of
"Putting people first" by providing the customers and local
communities it serves with quality financial products and services
through 85 convenient banking office locations and multiple
delivery channels, including its enhanced website,
www.astoriafederal.com. Astoria Federal commands the fourth largest
deposit market share in the attractive Long Island market, which includes
Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk counties with a population exceeding
that of 38 individual states. Astoria Federal originates mortgage
loans through its banking and loan production offices in
New York, an extensive broker
network covering fourteen states, primarily along the East Coast,
and the District of Columbia, and
through correspondent relationships covering fifteen states and the
District of Columbia.
SOURCE Astoria Federal Savings