Pennsylvania Champions to Compete in 30th Annual National LifeSmarts Championship in San Diego, CA

HARRISBURG – Dallas High School, from Luzerne County, captured the Pennsylvania State LifeSmarts Championship by successfully fielding questions about real-life marketplace issues and beating four other teams during the competition hosted Thursday by the Office of Attorney General.

LifeSmarts, a consumer education competition, challenges teens in grades 6 through 8 (Junior Varsity) and 9 through 12 (Varsity) about personal finance, health and safety, the environment, technology, and consumer rights and responsibilities.

“An important part of the Office of Attorney General’s mission is to help educate students to make good life choices as consumers,” Attorney General Michelle Henry said. “These students inspire me with their knowledge of personal finance, health and safety, and consumer rights. We all have a collective responsibility to show up for our young people and help them reach their full potential. Through education, we can empower students and communities to grow stronger, safer, and more prosperous.”

Teens from across the state first competed online for a chance to advance to the state finals held at the Office of Attorney General in Harrisburg. Varsity Champion, Dallas High School, has qualified for the 30th National LifeSmarts Championship which will be held in San Diego, California, April 18-21, 2024. There, they will compete against other teams from across the country for the coveted Florence Kelley Cup, scholarships and prizes.

Dallas High School Team Captain Marie Popielarz said it was a neck-and-neck competition, but the experience her team had with the competition helped them come out on top.

“It was truly an even match,” said Popielarz.

The LifeSmarts competition is a program of the National Consumers League. State coordinators implement the program locally. Other teams participating in the state finals included teams from Pine Grove Area High School, North East High School, Cumberland Valley High School and Upper Dublin High School.

“LifeSmarts participants win by learning to avoid common consumer pitfalls and scams, navigate the government, prepare for their financial futures, and so much more,” said Lisa Hertzberg, Program Director of the National LifeSmarts Program.

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. NCL’s mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. NCL is a private, nonprofit membership organization. For more information about the competition, visit https://lifesmarts.org or email lifesmarts@nclnet.org. For more information about NCL, visit www.nclnet.org or email media@nclnet.org.

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