As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and school closures, the California Council on Economic Education (CCEE) worked rapidly to transition the Personal Finance Challenge (originally set to take place at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco branches in Northern and Southern California) to an online Zoom format. Statewide shut downs did not prevent these students from showing off their money moves on April 15, 2020.

Guest judges included Dave Des Rochers, former NFL Seattle Seahawks player and current Vice President/Partner of Path2Happisuccess, Stephen Sherline, Managing Director and Head of Southern California Private Wealth Management at Union Bank, Lena Robinson, Director of Community Development at First Republic Bank, Steven Qiu, Senior Vice President & Retail Regional Manager at CTBC Bank, and Sharie Sohrabkhani, Senior Relationship Manager at US Bank.

On May 4, 2020, California’s Personal Finance Challenge state champions from Adrian Wilcox High School won the National title, placing first among 9,000 students from across the country.

Second Place

Troy High School

Fullerton, California

Teacher: David St. Clair

Cassia Yeo, Shivana Anand, Jonathan Chang, Pratinav Sharma

First Place

Adrian Wilcox High School

Santa Clara, California

Teacher: Anthony Raffetto

Shaunak Kale, Shivaansh Kapoor, Jonathan Chang, Pratinav Sharma

Third Place

El Segundo High School

El Segundo, California

Teacher: Bonnie Maye

Leah Abitante, Vincent Costa, Jesus Soria, Jonathan Anderson

Personal Finance Challenge

The National Personal Finance Challenge is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their knowledge of personal finance by connecting with other students from across the state in an online competition. The top scoring teams are invited to the state championships.

The highest score will then compete for the national title in a fast-paced “Quiz Bowl” round and an all expense paid trip to the competition in Lincoln, Nebraska.