State Treasurer Larry Pack visited Holz Elementary School in Charleston Friday, January 24 to launch the statewide SMART529 “When I Grow Up” student and teacher essay contest.
“As a parent and a grandparent, I know how important it is to invest in our children because they are the future and our legacy,” Treasurer Pack said. “That’s why we are here today – to plant the seeds of the future. I want to encourage students to write about what they want to be when they grow up. My hope is that this contest inspires them to achieve their dreams of attending a college, a trade school or start a potential career.”
The essay contest allows students to submit, in 200 words or less, an essay that explains what they want to be when they grow up. Entries will be judged on originality, creativity and the importance of post-secondary education.
The contest, now in its 18th year, gives kindergarten through fifth-grade students the chance to win up to $5,000 in SMART529 savings for higher education a $500 cash prize for their school. Teachers of grades kindergarten through fifth have the opportunity to win a $2,500 cash prize.
Last year, Holz Elementary School had 97 entries – the fifth largest number of entries per school in West Virginia. Courtney Bartlett, a library and media arts specialist at Holz Elementary, said they want to increase their number of entries this year.
“Students want to feel seen, and they want to feel heard and so this gives them the opportunity to think a little bit further even after high school,” Bartlett said. “I feel privileged that our tiny little school was selected to do this. The contest is something I can take on as a class project with my students. It’s something we can do here and research here.”
More than 3,300 students from across the state participated in the contest last year. The students worked with their families and educators to discover job pathways that spark their interests and can lead them to a fulfilling future career.
Essay entries will be judged among five regions in three age groups (K-1, 2-3, 4-5), making for a total of 15 regional winners.
The regional breakdown is as follows:
- Region I – Beckley/Bluefield area
- Region II – Charleston/Huntington area
- Region III – Clarksburg/Weston area
- Region IV – Martinsburg area
- Region V – Wheeling area
The 15 winners will be awarded $500 invested into SMART529 college savings accounts. Out of the regional winners, one grand prize winner will be randomly selected to receive a total of $5,000 toward a SMART529 account during an awards ceremony at the State Culture Center in Charleston.
Entry forms for both students and teachers are available at www.SMART529.com. In addition, entry forms will be available at elementary schools throughout the state.
The deadline for entry forms and essay submissions is Friday, Feb. 28.
SMART529 is a qualified tuition program issued by the Board of Trustees of the West Virginia College and Jumpstart Savings Programs and administered by Hartford Funds. Complete information about SMART529 plans and investment options is available at www.SMART529.com.