Annual Essay Contest
Keeping with our mission to connect, inform and inspire, The Economic Club of Grand Rapids works with The Seidman College of Business, Grand Valley State University each year to sponsor a high school economic essay contest. This contest helps bring interest to the relevant topics of economics to our community’s high school students as well as investment in our future leaders’ careers.
The Grand Rapids Economic Club Charitable Foundation, a non-profit charitable foundation instituted in 1994, was established to finance the awards for the contest winners and support the Scholarship Fund. Through our members’ unwavering support of this worthwhile endeavor, we continue to provide successful programs year after year!
Congratulations to the Winners!
Ace Arms, Byron Center High School
Anaka Armstrong, East Kentwood High School
Bomin Koo, Jenison High School
Anish Kulkarni, City High Middle School
Krishna Mano, City High Middle School – SECOND PLACE
Evan Mattson, Cedar Springs High School
George Minor, Grand Rapids Christian High School – THIRD PLACE
Danna Peralta Rodriguez, West Ottawa High School
Ruthie Radgens, Grand Rapids Catholic Central
Colt Rockwell, Grand Rapids Catholic Central
Thomas Tamae, Grand Rapids Catholic Central
Peter Vu, Grand Rapids Catholic Central – FIRST PLACE
Isabel Williamson, City High Middle School
46th Annual Essay Contest
2024-2025 High School Essay Contest Topic:
How is the housing market impacting West Michigan’s efforts to retain and attract top talent?
Awards Are As Follows:
- First Place – $3,000 + YMCA Teen Membership
- Second Place – $2,000 + YMCA Teen Membership
- Third Place – $1,000 + YMCA Teen Membership
- Fourth Place – $500 each (10 winners)
All students who enter the contest will receive a Junior Achievement Here to Career account.
Sponsorship are closed for the 46th Annual Essay Contest!
Recognizing and celebrating the talent and potential of our future leaders!
Donation Levels:
- Gold: $1000
- Silver: $500
- Bronze: $250
Benefits Include:
- Acknowledgement on our website.
- Logo displayed at the Gold level.
- Company name listed at Silver & Bronze levels.
- Recognition at April 14, 2025 luncheon.
2024-25 Essay Committee And Judges*
Randy Thelen, The Right Place & Essay Committee Chair
Troy Baker, Better Business Bureau of Michigan
Bill Coderre, Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes
Danielle DeWitt, Corewell Health Foundation, WM
Ethan Groothuis, Huntington Bank
Megan Mcnamara, Priority Health
Leslie Muller, Seidman, GVSU
Michelle Rizor, Corewell Health