CELEBRATING FINANCIAL LITERACY AND STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

CONGRATULATIONS WINNERS OF THE 2024 IMAGINEU BY GECU AND EVERFI FINANCIAL LITERACY BEE!

We’re excited to announce the 10 winners of the 2024 ImagineU by GECU and EVERFI Financial Literacy Bee. This initiative, made possible by a generous $10,000 donation from the GECU Foundation, marks the fourth consecutive year of unwavering commitment to promoting financial education.

The Financial Literacy Bee provided a unique scholarship opportunity for students in grades 8–12 across Texas and New Mexico. Through ImagineU’s innovative financial education tools, participating students learned critical money management concepts such as saving, budgeting, and investing.

To qualify for the scholarship, students completed a series of lessons and submitted a short essay addressing three essential questions. This year's Financial Literacy Bee saw impressive participation, with 3,168 students from diverse educational levels, including middle and high schools — a remarkable 40% increase from the previous year.

A panel of judges selected the top 10 essay submissions, with each winner receiving a $1,000 scholarship. Additionally, one outstanding student was awarded an additional $500 gift card for their exceptional work.

“GECU continues to empower our community by preparing our youth and educating them to live a better financial future,” said Ruby Alvarez, Vice President of GECU Community Development.

Bianca Giacoppo shared her experience: “It taught me how to budget and separate needs from wants. The scholarship is going to help me pay for my tuition, food, transportation and housing. I’m happy for this opportunity.”

The winners of the 2024 ImagineU by GECU^® and EVERFI Financial Literacy Bee are:

• Adriana Alston — Mission Early College High School
• Destiny Espinoza — Permian High School
• Melanie Gaytan — Gadsden Middle School
• Bianca Giacoppo — El Dorado High School
• Lorenzo Gonzalez — Eastlake High School
• Sarai Granados — Brown Middle School
• Tatianna Igo — Homeschool
• Martha Zoe Perez
• Mia Reyes — Hurshel Antwine Middle School
• Angel Villalba — Del Valle High School

We remain committed to providing financial education and supporting the educational aspirations of young students. Congratulations to all of the winners and participants for their hard work and dedication!

Click on the video to learn about the students’ experience.