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 47th Annual Essay Contest Winners!
Abigail Li, City High Middle School
Alice Nixon, City High Middle School
Amanda Sosa-Garnica, City High Middle School
Elouise Kampfschulte-Geary, City High Middle School
Jenna Luchies, Forest Hills Northern High School – SECOND PLACE
Krishna Mano, City High Middle School – FIRST PLACE
Lucy Pospisilik, City High Middle School
Mithil Joshi, City High Middle School
Olivia Woons, South Christian High School
Owen DeYoung, Byron Center High School – THIRD PLACE
Paul Huynh, Grand Rapids Catholic Central
Sean Ryan, Grand Rapids Christian High School
Seth Rozema, Grand Rapids Christian High School
2025-2026 High School Essay Contest Topic:
How will Rapid Changes in Innovation, Technology, and Culture Impact our Local and Global Economy?
In today’s world, innovation, technology, and culture are evolving faster than ever before. New inventions, digital tools, and social trends are transforming economies at both local and global levels by reshaping how people work, communicate, and participate in society. These rapid changes create new opportunities for growth, but also introduce significant challenges.
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.
2025-26 Essay Committee And Judges*
John Truscott, Truscott Rossman & Essay Committee Chair
Troy Baker, Better Business Bureau of Michigan
Michael Bender, Michigan Capital Network
Bill Coderre, Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes
Danielle DeWitt, Corewell Health Foundation, WM
Elizabeth Cyr, Grand Rapids Chamber
Ethan Groothuis, Huntington Bank
Joshua York, PhD, Seidman, GVSU
*The Judges receive the essays anonymously for the selection process
47th Annual Essay Contest Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Joe & Kristin Ponstein
Silver Sponsors
Better Business Bureau of Michigan
Dan and Pamella DeVos
Doug and Alix Thompson
Drew & Allison Miller
Lorna Schultz
President Emeritus, The Economic Club of Grand Rapids
Marcy & Robert Roth
Reagan Marketing + Design
Suzanne and Jerry Callahan
YMCA
Bronze Sponsors
Aquinas College
Jennifer Tilkin
Ping & Tim Liang
The Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore
The Mead Group at Merrill Lynch
Timothy J. & Karen J. O’Donovan
Veneklasen Construction
Watkins Ross & Co.
William C. & Cheryl Coderre
Thank You Essay Contest Partners!
The Annual Essay Contest Has Had:
8,577
Essays Submitted
414
Student Winners
261,000
Rewarded in Cash Prizes
Essay Contest Photo Gallery
