The first round of NGPF Bracket Madness brought buzzer-beaters, blowouts, and upsets that no one saw coming! Some top seeds cruised, while others barely survived. Now, the second round is set, and the stakes have NEVER been higher.

[SportsCenter theme plays]

BUCK WEALTHMAN: The first round of NGPF Bracket Madness is in the books, and wow, Penny, what a rollercoaster! We’ve seen DOMINANT performances, nail-biters, and a few SHOCKING upsets that have set the stage for an intense second round.

PENNY STOCKTON: Buck, let’s start with one of the BIGGEST THRILLERS of the round. CALCULATE: Completing a 1040, the tournament’s TOP SEED, barely escaped an early exit against PLAY: Spot the Scam Signs! Less than TWO PERCENT separated them at the final buzzer. That’s the kind of showdown that makes this competition so exciting!

BUCK: But not every favorite made it through! INTERACTIVE: Invest with STAX! pulled off a MASSIVE UPSET, completely overwhelming FINE PRINT: Checking Account Statement and taking nearly THREE-QUARTERS of the vote. STAX is on a mission, and the competition better be ready!

PENNY: And let’s talk about a BLOWOUT. INTERACTIVE: FICO Credit Scores left COMPARE: Types of Health Insurance Plans in the dust, securing more than 80% of the vote. This one wasn’t even close. Credit education fans came out in FORCE.

BUCK: Meanwhile, both MOVE: Your Money Values and MOVE: Your Cognitive Biases proved just how important understanding financial behavior is, each claiming around 60% of the votes. Looks like this category means BUSINESS!

PENNY: And of course, we can’t forget PLAY: The Bean Game—a classroom classic that STILL knows how to win. It took home a COMMANDING victory and is moving on to the next round!

BUCK: And now, the stakes get even HIGHER. The second round is here, and the matchups are looking TOUGH. The field is smaller, the competition is fiercer, and EVERY VOTE MATTERS.

PENNY: Speaking of which, voting for the second round is NOW OPEN, but the clock is ticking! Polls close at MIDNIGHT on Tuesday, March 25th, so don’t wait! Get your votes in and help decide which financial education champions move one step closer to the title!

BUCK: Who’s going to the next round? Who’s getting sent home? The only way to find out is to VOTE! We’ll see you next time for more BRACKET MADNESS!

[Theme music fades]

About the Author

Dave Martin

Dave joins NGPF with 15 years of teaching experience in math and computer science. After joining the New York City Teaching Fellows program and earning a Master's degree in Education from Pace University, his teaching career has taken him to New York, New Jersey and a summer in the north of Ghana. Dave firmly believes that financial literacy is vital to creating well-rounded students that are prepared for a complex and highly competitive world. During what free time two young daughters will allow, Dave enjoys video games, Dungeons & Dragons, cooking, gardening, and taking naps.

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