Lynbrook student Zane Daniels a grand-prize winner

11-year-old Zane Daniels of Lynbrook was awarded the grand prize by Astoria Federal Savings recently for his entry in the institution’s seventh annual Teach Children to Save Essay Contest. 

Nearly 1,000 children, ages 5 through 12 participated in the contest by completing the statement: “If I save a lot today, in the future I could…” This contest was part of the fun and educational Teach Children to Save celebrations conducted in every neighborhood branch throughout Nassau, Suffolk, Brooklyn, Queens and Westchester.

 “The contest is a fun way to get children to understand the importance of making smart financial choices, and we were amazed by the thoughtfulness of their responses,” said Astoria Federal Savings Executive Vice President Brian Edwards.

Of the essays received, judges selected seven top winners and one local winner from each branch location. Grand-prize winner Zane was awarded a new laptop computer, which was presented at an awards reception. Adding to the excitement, Zane’s school principal Lucille McAssey, from Waverly Park Elementary in the Lynbrook School District was presented with a laptop for the school’s use.

  In his essay, Zane wrote that with his savings he plans to invent an ocean filtration system to preserve the marine environment.

“My filtration device would travel the seven seas, cleaning the planet … it would make life better for both land and sea species.” Zane points out that such a device is needed because “Millions of people lack access to a clean water supply and billions of cases of diseases are attributed to unsafe water.”

  Three first-place winners were chosen, and each received a $250 American Express® gift card. Three second-place winners were chosen, and each received a $100 American Express® gift card. Every child that was selected as a local winner won a $25 American Express® gift card, a Teach Children to Save Celebration Award Certificate, and a medal from their community branch.