An investment-savvy teen from DeBolt, Alta. has won a Canadian Securities Administrators-sponsored contest for an essay on investing wisely at an early age.

The national grand prize of $2,500 was awarded to Elizabeth Penner, 14, whose essay “Spending My Money Wisely” discussed how investing in cattle fit with her investment goals and risk tolerance.

The CSA sponsored the essay contest to encourage Canadians from 14 to 18 years of age to learn more about investing. Contestants were asked to give their views on whether it is important for young Canadians to learn about investing at an early age.

“It’s refreshing to see someone as young as Elizabeth interested in and understanding investing concepts,” Steve Sibold, CSA chair, said in a statement. “This contest has demonstrated that it’s never too soon to start thinking about your financial goals and how to achieve them.”

In addition to the grand prize of $2500, 11 provincial and territorial prizes of $750 each were awarded to winners throughout the country.

They are: PEI – Amanda Gallant; Nova Scotia – Salina Wechsler; Newfoundland – Patrick W. Whelan; New Brunswick – Michael Roy; Quebec – Yannick Mélançon Laître; Ontario – Tara McQuoid; Manitoba – Sean Donald; Saskatchewan – Thomas Malinowski; Alberta – Elizabeth Penner; British Columbia – Sarah Wong; and Northwest Territories – Duncan Hamre.