On December 7, ten students were selected to participate in the 2024 Zingale Financial Literacy Challenge finals with their personal finance budget and investing plan for life after graduation. Students were evaluated according to the Certified Financial Analyst criteria, and winners were awarded prizes totaling $5,000.
“The reason we created our financial literacy program, including a 4-credit class, our Adulting 101 seminar series, and the Zingale Financial Literacy Challenge, was to give our students the ability to properly manage their personal finances when they leave Allegheny,” said Chris Allison ’83, entrepreneur in residence and co-director of the Bruce R. Thompson Center for Business & Economics.
The challenge is open to all Allegheny students but is mandatory for those taking the course ECON 010. Winners of the 2024 Zingale Financial Literacy Challenge were:
- 1st Place: Gabriel Salvatore Xavier Saccoccio ’27
- 2nd Place: Emma Conti-Windle ’27
- 3rd Place: Karl Fuchs ’25
“My favorite aspect of the challenge was working with real-world scenarios to build a personalized financial plan. From calculating expenses and investments to strategizing how to pay off debt, every step felt practical and hands-on,” says Saccoccio. “I especially appreciated researching my future job market and salary expectations, as it helped me visualize life after graduation and plan for it effectively. This experience gave me newfound confidence, knowing I’m better equipped to make informed financial decisions and achieve my goals.”
The annual event is sponsored by Allegheny College trustee Lance Zingale ’77 and Karen Zingale.
