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!

Donor Benefits

  • Acknowledgment on our website
  • Recognition at the Econ Club luncheon and awards program on April 15, 2024
  • Logo displayed at the Gold* level
  • Company name listed at Silver and Bronze levels

Following are the categories for donations to support the contest and the student awards of over $11,000.

GOLD: $1000

Donate

SILVER: $500

Donate

BRONZE: $250

Donate

45th ANNUAL ESSAY CONTEST

2023-2024 HIGH SCHOOL ESSAY CONTEST TOPIC:

How Might AI Change the Workforce in the Future?

Analyze the economic, social, and ethical considerations that employers and employees need to prepare for as AI becomes more accessible.

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)

2023-24 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
Brian Greenleaf, Sabo PR
Leslie Muller, Seidman, GVSU
*The Judges receive the essays anonymously for the selection process

45th ANNUAL ESSAY CONTEST SPONSORS

GOLD:

Joe Murphy

Joe & Kristin Ponstein

SILVER:

Dan & Pam DeVos Foundation

Gary & Lorna Schultz

Jerry and Suzanne Callahan

TalentFirst

Tina Freese Decker

BRONZE:

Baxter Community Center

Calvin University School of Business

Christian Veenstra

Doug & Alix Thompson

Drew & Allison Miller

HR Collaborative

Ping & Tim Liang

Scott & Renee Hill

Timothy and Karen O’Donovan

William & Cheryl Coderre

The Annual Essay Contest Has Had:

Essay Contest Award Photo Gallery

View Photos

Thank You Essay Contest Partners!