August 25, 2022 – Senior Zachary Blaha will represent Collinsville High School during the 2022-23 school year as a member of The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Student Board of Directors.
The program, which is in its 11th year, offers high school seniors a dynamic way to learn about our nation’s central bank. Participants gain a thorough understanding of the Federal Reserve’s role in the U.S. economy, participate in online and in-person learning experiences, and join in discussions with St. Louis Fed leaders on topics ranging from professional development to career planning and progression. St. Louis and Metro-East area students are selected based on the quality of their essay and letters of recommendation.
Zach’s essay focused on leadership and spoke to the importance of leaders being self-aware, encouraging, ethical and civic minded. During his time on the Student Board, Zach will attend monthly board meetings, complete online learning modules focused on economics and personal finance, collaborate with other Student Board members, create a presentation about the Fed and present to classes at CHS, and continue to develop his leadership skills.
Student Board members will also work with Fed professionals to improve and enhance their resume writing and interviewing skills. After successful completion of the yearlong program, Zach will have an opportunity to apply for a paid summer internship within a variety of departments at the Fed.
In addition to Zach, CHS has been fortunate to have ten other students serve on the board. Previous alumni include: Brian Hoyt, 2012-2013; Sam Caputo, 2014-2015; Ben Frey, 2015-2016; Benjamin Carlson, 2016-2017; Venise Govan, 2017-2018; Tyme Sampson, 2018-2019; Ryan Lanier 2019-2020; Hannah Pettit 2020-2021, and Chelsea Nott 2021-2022.
Current CHS Juniors who may be interested in applying for the Student Board for the 2023-2024 school year, can stop by Room 319 and speak with business teacher and Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Educator Advisory Board Member Vicki Fuhrhop.
St. Louis Fed Selects Student Board of Directors
St. LOUIS(Aug. 25, 2022) — The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis announced its new Student Board of Directors chosen from St. Louis metro area high school students.
For the 2022-23 school year, 18 high school seniors from the metro area have been selected to serve on the board. Students were chosen through a competitive application process that includes an essay and letters of recommendation. Students meet monthly to gain a thorough understanding of the Federal Reserve’s role in the U.S. economy and learn about its unique partnerships with banks, businesses and the community.
The 2022-23 St. Louis Fed student board members are:
Patrick Bartz, Lindbergh High School
- Zachary Blaha, Collinsville High School
- Evan Canis, Marquette High School
- Ryan Feng, Parkway West High School
- Zayana Gray, Governor French Academy
- Khyia Henderson, Innovation School at Cool Valley
- Charles Higano, St. Louis University High School
- Tanner Jacobi, Timberland High School
- Anisha Jarang, Clayton High School
- Meena Kalinathabotla, Parkway North High School
- Sam Loiterstein, Ladue Horton Watkins High School
- Lesley Mendoza-Gomez, McCluer High School
- Winston Moore, MICDS
- Maria Riquetti, Bishop DuBourg High School
- Sekhar Sejal, Visitation Academy
- Adam Sutter, John Burroughs School
- Siddarth Vuskamalla, Lafayette High School
- Mirabelle Williams, Webster Groves High School
“We’re excited to welcome this group of students and give them the opportunity to learn more about career options in banking, finance and other fields that use economics,” said Eva Johnston, senior economic education specialist at the St. Louis Fed. “Encouraging students to consider professions in economics that enable them to express their diverse points of view is a goal of this program.”
Over the last decade, 82% of former student board members have launched careers in banking, finance or related industries. Two-thirds of board alumni are women and/or minorities who have pursued banking, finance or related careers, a St. Louis Fed survey finds.
“With professional guidance, student board members craft resumes, learn interview skills, and hone their knowledge of economics and how the Fed conducts monetary policy as well as about other vital roles the Fed plays in the economy,” Johnston said. “Boosting the number of women and minorities in banking, finance and professions related to economics is good for our bank and region.”
For more information, visit the St. Louis Fed’s student board of directors’ webpage.