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Principal Foundation Announces 2024 Contest Winners

On December 11, 2024, the Principal Foundation, a dedicated nonprofit focused on financial security, revealed the winner and finalists of its national short story contest, Money Chronicles: A Story Initiative. This program encourages participants to share personal narratives about their experiences with money, aiming to foster open conversations about financial topics.

Launched in 2023, the Money Chronicles initiative emphasizes the power of storytelling as a means to destigmatize discussions around finances. Collaborating with The Center for Fiction and Short Édition, this year's competition highlighted a range of stories addressing cultural heritage, socioeconomic challenges, and generational wealth, all pivotal in the collective journey towards financial literacy.

The contest received an impressive response, with one winner and nineteen finalists selected by an esteemed panel comprising acclaimed authors like Zakiya Dalila Harris and Casey Parks, alongside experts from Short Édition and Principal Foundation. The stories are not only a reflection of individual experiences but also resonate with broader social issues, pushing boundaries on how financial narratives are perceived.

Winner and Finalists:

• - Winner: Genevieve Abravanel from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for her story “These Dark Woods.”
• - Finalists:

- Mary Tabor, Los Angeles, California: “Accounts”
- Joanne McEnroy, Yaphank, New York: “Are We Rich”
- Brenden Stumpo, Smyrna, Delaware: “Discounted Dreams”
- Sabrina Tom, Los Angeles, California: “Eureka”
- Jennifer Kitses, Jackson Heights, New York: “Extravagant Gifts”
- Kristina Rose, Cocoa Beach, Florida: “Ghost Dance”
- Katherine Cart, Charlottesville, Virginia: “How to Bury a Peacock”
- Sandy Feinstein, Reading, Pennsylvania: “In Lieu of Flowers”
- Kiik Araki-Kawaguchi, Bellingham, Washington: “Kazuki Shibata”
- Mark Budman, Brighton, Massachusetts: “On The Move”
- Sandy Kline, Tulsa, Oklahoma: “Parker’s Dam”
- Cedric Rose, Cincinnati, Ohio: “Primavera”
- Jeremy Steen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin: “Rational Actors”
- Mario Moussa, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: “Redemption”
- Lisa Beebe, Studio City, California: “See a Penny”
- Georgia Corso, Baltimore, Maryland: “Spring’s Sign of Faith”
- Amy Schuler, Millerton, New York: “Statement in the Balance”
- Joy Donnell, Marina Del Rey, California: “The Estate”
- Sean Gill, Brooklyn, New York: “The Lakes and The Falls.”

While the winner was awarded $1,000, each finalist received $150. Importantly, all selected stories are set to be published in various locations, including The New York Public Library and notable bookstores across the country, increasing accessibility to these unique voices.

Jo Christine Miles, Director of Principal Foundation, emphasized the significance of this initiative. “Storytelling can inspire people to reflect on their own experiences with money, tackle challenges, and engage in meaningful discussions about topics that often carry stigma,” she noted. This sentiment is echoed in a recent survey showing that over half of Millennials and Gen Z individuals feel uncomfortable discussing finances due to fears of judgment.

The initiative has so far celebrated the creativity of over 38 writers, fostering a community that encourages financial conversations through the lens of individual narratives. For those interested in submitting stories or learning more about future contests, detailed information and past submissions can be found on the Principal Foundation's Short Edition website.

As Money Chronicles continues to grow, it not only highlights the importance of personal finance literacy but also illustrates how storytelling can make such discussions more relatable and less daunting. Through shared stories, the Principal Foundation is paving the way for a more financially informed society.