Essay Topic
Economics in Motion Pictures

Movies are filled with action, mystery, romance and—would you believe?—economics. Students were asked to think about one of their favorite motion pictures and recall the economic lessons or concepts lurking among the characters and storyline. Their mission was to go behind the scenes and reveal the economics starring in the film.

The Details
The contest was open to 11th and 12th grade students attending schools in the Eleventh Federal Reserve District, which comprises Texas, northern Louisiana and southern New Mexico. Participants submitted essays to the appropriate office of the Dallas Fed, as determined by the location of their school.

Awards Ceremonies
The top 10 essays were selected from the entries received at each of the four office locations. The selected students, their parents and their supervising teacher were invited to the regional awards ceremony at the office location where they entered.

The top three regional finalists from each of the four office locations will be invited to a District-wide awards luncheon at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas on May 1, 2008. Each of the 12 district finalists will receive a savings bond.

The supervising teacher and parents or guardian of each district finalist will be invited to attend the awards luncheon. All guests will have an opportunity to tour the Bank during their visit.

For attendees from outside the Dallas–Fort Worth area, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas will cover travel expenses (automobile mileage or round-trip airfare if distance requires) for the student, the supervising teacher, and one parent or guardian

Note: Both parents (or guardian) are welcome to attend the luncheon, but the travel expenses of only one will be covered.

District Awards Luncheon

May 1, 2008 Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

Finalists

Dallas
Christine Chow The Hockaday School Dallas, TX Teacher: Lynn Kaneps	Elizabeth Fudge Rockwall High School Rockwall, TX Teacher: Linda Smith
Thomas Hutley Lewisville High School Lewisville, TX Teacher: Olivia Aguirre	Maya Kirk Cedar Park High School Cedar Park, TX Teacher: Craig Weems
Tia Kirksey The Hockaday School Dallas, TX Teacher: Lynn Kaneps	Stephanie McCall The Hockaday School Dallas, TX Teacher: Lynn Kaneps
Rosemary Parravano The Hockaday School Dallas, TX Teacher: Lynn Kaneps	Alex Radtke Cedar Park High School Cedar Park, TX Teacher: Craig Weems
Stephanie Stefanski McKinney High School McKinney, TX Teacher: Anne Presley	Sylvia Sullivan Science and Engineering Magnet School Dallas, TX Teacher: Paul Trevizo
Advancing to District Finals: Christine Chow, Elizabeth Fudge and Rosemary Parrvano
El Paso
Desi Baca Franklin High School El Paso, TX Teacher: Carl McCaig	Amanda Bankston Irvin High School El Paso, TX Teacher: Wes Fortney
Ben Bagwell Legacy Christian Academy Alamogordo, NM Teacher: Serena Ruediger	Steven Galindo Irvin High School El Paso, TX Teacher: Wes Fortney
Kaelyn Higgs Legacy Christian Academy Alamogordo, NM Teacher: Serena Ruediger	Shea Houlihan Franklin High School El Paso, TX Teacher: Carl McCaig
Amanda Ruediger Legacy Christian Academy Alamogordo, NM Teacher: Serena Ruediger	Julia Snyder Legacy Christian Academy Alamogordo, NM Teacher: Serena Ruediger
Raymond Valles Franklin High School El Paso, TX Teacher: Carl McCaig
Advancing to District Finals: Steven Galindo, Kaelyn Higgs, Shea Houlihan
Houston
Lelia El-Murr Lamar High School Houston, TX Teacher: Kevin Wheeler	Charles Irwin Herrmann Bryan High School Bryan, TX Teacher: Laura Wagner
Andy Ho Pasadena Memorial High School Pasadena, TX Teacher: Blake Emmons	Travis Meyer Cypress Creek High School Houston, TX Teacher: Gregory Nelson
Jonathan Lallinger Cypress Creek High School Houston, TX Teacher: Gregory Nelson	Jennifer McNicoll Hallmark Fair Academy Homeschool Houston, TX Teacher: Melinda McNicoll
Sailesh Prabhu Bellaire Senior High School Bellaire, TX Teacher: Michael Clark	Anita Roopani James E. Taylor High School Katy, TX Teacher: Melissa Marvin
Adam Rosen Cypress Springs High School Cypress, TX Teacher: Lacye Rhoads	Jason Segalla The Awty International School Houston, TX Teacher: Leonie Karkoviata
Advancing to District Finals: Charles Irwin Herrmann, Andy Ho, Jonathan Lallinger
San Antonio
Julie Ann Amthor Smithson Valley High School Spring Branch, TX Teacher: Woodie Meyer	Lisa Chen Tom C. Clark High School San Antonio, TX Teacher: John Player
Nina Khosrowsalafi W. B. Ray High School Corpus Christi, TX Teacher: Lorinda Hamilton	Travis Liska George West High School George West, TX Teacher: Kristin Stewart
Ryan Loeffler L. C. Anderson High School Austin, TX Teacher: William Lampkin	Daniel Nash W. B. Ray High School Corpus Christi, TX Teacher: Lorinda Hamilton
Jeffrey Perabo W. B. Ray High School Corpus Christi, TX Teacher: Lorinda Hamilton	Emily Travis St. Michael’s Catholic Academy Austin, TX Teacher: David Koch
Ady Wetegrove W. B. Ray High School Corpus Christi, TX Teacher: Lorinda Hamilton	Erika Zerda Earl Warren High School San Antonio, TX Teacher: Jane Nicholson
Advancing to District Finals: Julie Ann Amthor, Ryan Loeffler, Ady Wetegrove