Alexandria Teens: Enter a 30-Second Video Contest for a $10,000 Prize
Burke & Herbert Bank’s Lights, Camera, Save! contest invites ages 13–18 to share money-smart advice on video. Entries are due December 1.
ALEXANDRIA, VA — Last spring, a West Potomac Academy student proved that a short video about money could earn national recognition. Micah Hill’s entry, Declined and Confused, won the Bankers’ Choice award in the American Bankers Association’s Lights, Camera, Save! competition. Now Burke & Herbert Bank is inviting the next generation of young filmmakers to give it a try.
The Alexandria-headquartered bank is accepting entries from teens ages 13 to 18 for the 2026–27 Lights, Camera, Save! video contest. The challenge is straightforward: make an original video, no longer than 30 seconds, explaining a smart way to manage money. Entries are due December 1, 2026, and no filmmaking experience is required.
For inspiration, students can watch Hill’s award-winning video, Declined and Confused.
Budgeting, saving for college, credit scores, debt, and protecting your financial identity are all possible topics. What matters is telling a clear, engaging story that helps other teens make better financial decisions.
“As a community bank, we are proud to support a contest that encourages teens to help their peers build stronger financial habits,” said Burke & Herbert Bank Chief Executive Officer David Boyle. “For over a decade, we have seen the impact young people can have through this contest in making financial education relatable. We encourage parents and educators to inspire students to participate and join us in preparing the next generation for a strong financial future.”
Cash Prizes for Teens — and Awards for Teachers
Burke & Herbert Bank will choose a regional winner in each of its six states: Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Each state winner receives a $500 gift card and advances to the national contest. The teacher of each regional winner receives a $100 gift card.
At the national level, first place is worth $10,000, second place $5,000, and third place $2,500. Altogether, the contest offers more than $20,000 in local and national prizes. The first round of national voting will take place through the American Bankers Association’s Instagram account.
And there is precedent for local success. The Zebra previously reported on West Potomac Academy student Christian Thomas becoming a national finalist in 2021 and Springfield student Dylan Fox winning the national grand prize in 2018 after entering through Burke & Herbert.
How to Enter by December 1
Students should create their original video, upload it online, and submit its link along with a completed entry form to Burke & Herbert Bank by December 1, 2026. Videos will be judged on their message, content, quality, and compliance with the contest’s official rules.
Find the entry form, complete rules, and inspiration from past winning videos on Burke & Herbert Bank’s contest page. For questions, email [email protected].
