In the fall of 2010, the New York State Consumer Protection Board, in conjunction with the Classroom Enrichment Program, held the Lessons to Bank On essay contest. The question posed to students from throughout New York State was "What is really important to you that money can't buy, and why?" Nearly 100 entries from throughout the state were received and below you'll find the winners in each of the two categories. Congratulations to all those who won!

Hannah Porcelli, Grade 6, Academy of the Holy Names (winner)
Pitter-patter goes the rain. The dull sky showers me with the joyous tears of the angels. The whoosh of the wind sends their excited shrieks to my curious ears. This is the time that I cherish in my heart. This is something that money can't buy. Just sitting out in the rain, gazing out at the bare branches of the trees, the waving grass, the rustling leaves. Nature. Just saying it brings excited tingles to my tongue as I hold it out to catch the teardrops that fall. Nature is like a talent show. The leaves perform a dance routine, twisting and turning. The wind sings for me in low alto tones. The grass does the wave and I laugh as the take a bow. The angels seem to have cried all their tears out. I look up at the sky and grin for the sky brightens into an amber smile. The talent show has come to an end. I clap and say my farewells. Next time it rains, I will be back to watch nature's next performance, but until then they must practice and I must go and prepare for the next show.

Joseph Lewis, Grade 6, St. Gregory’s School
It is Saturday afternoon and I am thinking about the new Lego set that I cannot wait to build, but I have tickets to see my favorite local hockey team, whose players are already warming up for the game. Tae Kwon Do and my service project filled my morning and I still have three homework assignments left to complete. My mom suggests that we all eat dinner out and, of course, I wanted to do this too. I find myself wishing, as I often do, for more time. Whenever I read one of those old-fashioned three-wishes stories I can’t help but feel the protagonists wish for foolish things. I would wish for TIME. Maybe most eleven year-olds would wish for riches or adventures, but I would give away those extra two wishes if I could be sure that I would be granted more time. I would use this magical gift to escape into books, to hike to the reservoir behind our house and to revisit places I loved exploring as a little kid. I have a miniature ATM-style bank in my bedroom where I stash cash given to me by people I love to celebrate my passage through time: birthdays, milestones and holidays. Their monetary gifts acknowledge my accomplishments and fund my creative activities, but these generous offerings cannot provide me with what money can’t buy, time. Since I know that time is precious, I have learned how to spend it wisely. I prioritize. I never want the time I spend with my dad, mom and my little sister to end. Building a fort with my father and my sister inevitably turns into a snowball fight and ends with the chicken soup and hot chocolate my mother makes. As we listen to Christmas music and enjoy homemade treats time rushes by, but is well spent. Not making time for moments like these is time wasted that I cannot buy back.

Makhali Voss, Grade 6, Volney ES (Fulton, NY)
I have an old brown bear I made at Build-A-Bear in the mall. I gave that bear to my grandfather, he loved that old beat up, brown, black eyed bear. A few years ago my grandpa passed away of cancer and the bear, the old brown bear, was passed back to me. Now, still to this day, I sleep with my bear, every night. Without my bear I don’t sleep, I can’t. I miss my grandpa but I still have him in my heart. I have my bear right next to me every night. My bear is the best reminder of him that I could have. My bear is something that not even a trillion dollars could ever buy.

Angela Nye, Grade 11, Rensselaer Junior Senior HS (winner)
Money can't buy the love I feel for my sister. I appreciate everything she does for me. If it wasn't for my sister, I would be in foster care. She took on a big responsibility by taking me in when my mom became very sick and could not care for me. My mom was in and out of the hospital before she passed away. If it wasn't for my sister who is a real hero to me, I am not sure where I would be. I know my mom would be very proud of her, too. In my eyes, my sister is my guardian angel. She is raising her own family and I was allowed to become a part of it. She shows me love and treats me the same as her own children. She gives me every possession I could ever want, but truthfully her caring and love means the most to me in my life.

Ruthanne Cantele, Grade 10, Taconic Hills HS
We are at a time when money is the primary subject on everybody’s mind, whether they are young or old. We are in economic chaos; prices are going up; people are losing jobs. People are beginning to forget that not all meaningful things in life are material things. Personally, I think that friendship is the most important of these non-material things. My friends are the people who keep me sane. Without them, I would have nobody to confide in, nobody to discuss my life problems with. Friends can provide entertainment that money could never buy. Some of my best times with friends have been completely free of charge. If I had the chance, I would tell each and every person in the world this: Take a day to appreciate your friends and all that they’re worth, without opening your wallet. They’ll thank you for it.

Abbie Stasior, Grade 10, Albany Academy
I am a dancer and dance has become a part of who I am. Dance is a performing art where one gets to truly express their deepest thoughts and emotions. There is a certain point when I perform when I just get this feeling of adrenaline rushing through my whole body. I just know I am on my game everything for that split second is perfect. This feeling is hard to describe unless you have experienced it yourself, but it is truly a surreal feeling. No matter what is going on in my life, it no longer matters. At that short time I’m fully in the moment. I feel accomplished and proud. This feeling is important to me because when I get this feeling, it makes everything I have worked so hard for finally pay off, without actually paying a cent! You can pay to see a performance, but you cannot pay to experience this feeling. It is incredible. It is the reason why dance is my passion.