Santa Barbara, CA, February 23, 2026 – The American Bankers Association (ABA) Foundation announced the national winners of its teen savings video contest, Lights, Camera, Save! This year, Ethan Gardiner, nominated by American Riviera Bank, earned second place nationwide for his video Climbing the College Mountain. With his win, Ethan will receive a $5,000 cash prize to support his personal savings goals.
Lights Camera Save! invites teens ages 13-18 to share the importance of saving, budgeting, and making smart financial decisions through short-form video. The contest encourages students to use creativity and storytelling to educate and inspire their fellow teens as they navigate the financial world.
Ethan collaborated with fellow Dos Pueblos High School students Zenia Potter and Deveraux Wigo to create the video Climbing the College Mountain, which offers practical savings tips and highlights resources available to help teens prepare financially for college. The video advanced to the national competition upon winning ARB’s local round, earning a $500 prize and standing out among 14 local high school entries. After being submitted nationally, Climbing the College Mountain went through two rounds of national judging, including public voting on Instagram.
See Ethan’s winning entry on YouTube
“We are incredibly proud of Ethan and the creativity he brought to his video. Our community is full of bright and motivated teens, and he’s a wonderful example of that,” said Jeff DeVine, American Riviera Bank President and CEO, “His video highlights valuable resources for students preparing for higher education and shares that message in a relatable, easy-to-understand way.”
The Lights, Camera, Save! contest offers an opportunity to engage and educate younger members of our community about financial literacy and financial responsibility. American Riviera Bank supports the development of youth financial education through partnership with local schools and by offering programs and resources that help students build financial confidence.
“As teens prepare for college and begin making important financial decisions, it’s essential they have a strong foundation to build on,” said Alyssa Shapiro, Community Relations Specialist. “We are committed to making those opportunities accessible to young people in our community and supporting programs that help them make confident, informed financial decisions.”
Learn more about Lights, Camera, Save!, see previous years’ submissions, and learn how your teen can get involved in next year’s competition here.
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