Financial planning is one of the most important things someone can do to promote their financial well-being. For over a decade, the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service has used its Piggy Bank Design contest to educate young people about money-saving methods and teach them how to become financially savvy.  

Recently, the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and the Kentucky Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy announced the 2023 contest winners at Kentucky Saves Week. During the event at the state Capitol, students joined Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear as he signed the 2023 Kentucky Saves Week proclamation.  

Kentucky Saves Week encourages Kentuckians of all ages to begin or boost their personal savings and debt reduction efforts.  

“It was great to be back in the Capitol rotunda for a face-to-face celebration this year,” said Nichole Huff, assistant professor and UK extension specialist for family finance and resource management. “Students, families, educators, financial professionals and government officials from across the state came together to highlight the importance of promoting financial literacy in Kentucky.” 

The contest encouraged all Kentucky school-aged children to compete and design their own piggy bank. The competition allowed students to express their creativity and helped them set personal savings goals. Participants submitted their banks for evaluation to county extension offices. Each office chose county champions to advance to the regional competition. Each region selected the winning piggy banks. 

The 2023 winners are: 

• Taylor Blackburn, Johnson County, fifth grade 

• James Carter, Oldham County, fifth grade 

• Ryan Clark, Marion County, ninth grade 

• Gunnar Coe, Russell County, fifth grade 

• Bentley Conkright, Marshall County, fifth grade 

• Addison Cornett, Clay County, sixth grade 

• Liam Dominguez, Daviess County, seventh grade 

• John Wayne Flaugher, Carter County, second grade 

• Braydon Howard, Mercer County, fourth grade 

• Zackary Kindoll, Carroll County, 10th grade 

• Lawson Neihoff, Caldwell County, kindergarten 

• Emily Shaw, Metcalfe County, 11th grade 

The winning piggy bank designs are on exhibit at the Kentucky State Capitol through the end of March. For more information, visit https://fcs-hes.ca.uky.edu/moneywise.