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46th Annual Essay Contest

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!

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.

Become a Sponsor of the 46th Annual Essay Contest!

Join us in 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

Bill Coderre, Junior Achievement

Danielle DeWitt,  Corewell Health Foundation, WM

Brian Greenleaf, Sabo PR

Ethan Groothuis, Huntington Bank

Megan Mcnamara, Priority Health

Leslie Muller, Seidman, GVSU

Michelle Rizor, Corewell Health

*The Judges receive the essays anonymously for the selection process

46th Annual Essay Contest Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

William & Cheryl Coderre

Essay Contest Photo Gallery

Thank You Essay Contest Partners!

The Annual Essay Contest Has Had:

8,577

Essays Submitted

414

Student Winners

261,000

Rewarded in Cash Prizes