The Kansas City Fed dedicated April's Financial Literacy Month to leading students across the region through competitions, career exploration, and hands-on economic education.

In Kansas City, a stablecoins webinar was hosted on April 14, exploring digital currency topics relevant to today's evolving financial landscape. Employees also volunteered at JA BizTown and FutureNow: Finance, student-focused events designed to build practical financial skills.

Omaha Branch

In Omaha, the branch hosted the Nebraska Economics Challenge State Finals on April 10, in collaboration with the Nebraska Council on Economic Education. Seventeen high school teams from Omaha, Lincoln, Wahoo and surrounding areas competed through written exams and critical thinking group presentations. A quiz bowl determined the winners in each division.

Omaha Branch economist Ayesha Cooray helped students connect classroom theory to real-world application by presenting on the importance of economics and her personal career journey. Twenty branch employees volunteered as testing proctors, room guides, and presentation judges for the event, which marked the fifth year of the partnership in this format.

Oklahoma City Branch

The Oklahoma City Branch’s Student Board of Directors program continued its mission of exposing young people to diverse career paths with a behind-the-scenes tour of the Oklahoma City Thunder organization on April 9. Students toured the NBA team's business offices and learned how departments such as digital operations and community engagement keep the team running daily.

Ron Matthews, Thunder’s director of digital operations and content strategy, said the annual visits consistently impress him.

"The students typically are engaged and have a solid idea of their path ahead," Matthews said. "What stayed with me following the visit this year was their ability to 'connect the dots' on the importance of networking."

Erin Oldfield, vice president of community engagement and executive director of the Thunder Community Foundation, said programs like the Student Board create meaningful opportunities for youth development.

The Student Board “is an incredible investment in the next generation of leaders," said Oldfield, whose son participated in the program. "Each year, we look forward to welcoming these students and seeing their curiosity and professionalism firsthand."

Students also heard during a lunch session from Chase Farha, research associate II regional and community affairs, who discussed Oklahoma's economy.

"It's always fun talking to our bright student board of directors about the Fed and the economy, especially when it's at the home of the reigning NBA champs," Farha said.

Denver Branch

The Denver Branch welcomed AP Economics students from East High School on April 7 for the Life brieFED program, a one-day experience adapted from the Student Board of Directors curriculum. Students explored Federal Reserve operations, including cash services, personal finance and the regional economy, through early career insights and speed-networking sessions with Denver Branch leadership.

The programs demonstrate the Bank’s commitment to building economic literacy among young people throughout its district.

The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City or the Federal Reserve System.