Pay Your Family First (PYFF), in partnership with Choices Educational Empowerment, will hold the ThriveTime Scholarship Challenge’s state championship at Grand Canyon University on April 17th from 4 pm – 8 pm.

Paradise Valley/Phoenix, AZ, March 27, 2012 – Pay Your Family First(PYFF), in partnership with Choices Educational Empowerment, will hold the ThriveTime Scholarship Challenge’s state championship at Grand Canyon University on April 17th from 4 pm – 8 pm.

The event will be held at the private college’s basketball arena, emceed by KTAR’s & AZTV’s popular personality, Pat McMahon. State Treasurer Doug Ducey will be participating in this event that will include free community activities, live entertainment and raffles for the public.

Arizona teens that qualified during their local high school’s Thrive Time Scholarship Challenge will compete for cash scholarships and the chance to play at the regional and national competitions. Members of the Arizona Society of CPAs provided volunteer support at school events and will participate at the state competition. Additional volunteer support has been provided by Phoenix Philanthropists, with sponsorship support provided by local businesses and community leaders.

PYFF’s CEO and acclaimed author, Sharon Lechter, is on a mission to promote financial education. “The entire ThriveTime Challenge has far exceeded my hopes and dreams.  We set out to create community collaboration between the corporate, personal and private sectors to address a pressing need for financial literacy education for children. We’ve been thrilled at the reception from students, teachers and administration.  And when we gave each student their own ThriveTime game at the end of the competitions – you’d think they’d just won the lottery!”

Choices Educational Empowerment’s Tank Jones, acclaimed actor and activist, has seen the benefits of the game. “Collaborating with Pay Your Family First to bring the ThriveTime Challenge to local schools has been fun and rewarding. We’ve met some exceptional kids and great staff. I look forward to seeing who’s going to take the scholarship!”

ThriveTime Challenge

During the championship, participants will compete in a three round, single elimination tournament of the board game created by Lechter, ThriveTime for Teens. The board game was developed as a teaching tool to instill money management skills to youth and families. Students will play in tables of 5-6 students. The first player to “Thrive,” or win, at each table will advance to the second round; then, those winners will proceed to the final championship round.

The 1st place winner will be awarded a $5,000 scholarship from Pay Your Family First, plus a second $5,000 scholarship matched by Grand Canyon University. The 2nd and 3rd place winners both receive a $2,500 scholarship provided by private donors. According to Lechter, everyone who attends is a winner. Each participating high school from qualifying events received cash prizes; the school with the most spectators in tow receives the School Spirit Award, and each entering participant receives a goody-bag with various prizes.

“Grand Canyon University is proud to host the Thrive Time Challenge State Championship,” said Grand Canyon University’s dean of the College of Education, Kimberly LaPrade. “Learning to manage personal finances is vital for young people as they go out into the world on their own. The Challenge is teaching students these practical skills in a fun and exciting way.”

Arizona high schools interested in hosting a ThriveTime Scholarship Challenge, or organizations interested in empowering the next generation of superstars by sponsoring the events, should contact Angela Totman at Pay Your Family First: angela@pyff.net.

For information regarding the ThriveTime Scholarship Challenge, please visit: www.thrivetimechallenge.com.

Contact:
Scott Kelly
Black Dog Promotions
9920 S. Rural Rd., Ste 108
Tempe, AZ 85284 USA
480-206-3435
scott@blackdogpromotions.com
http://www.blackdogpromotions.com