Charleston – Fifteen West Virginia school children are on their way to a brighter future, after winning regional awards in the seventh annual SMART529 “When I Grow Up” essay contest. State Treasurer John Perdue recognized the winners Thursday morning during a ceremony at the West Virginia Culture Center.
The 15 winning essays were selected out of more than 3,000 entries from all over West Virginia. Each winner received $500 invested into a SMART529 WV Direct account. An additional $4,500 in a SMART529 account was awarded to the grand prize winner, Brynne Hartung, a student at Frankfort Intermediate in Mineral County. Hartung’s name was selected during a random drawing at the event. Each winning student’s school was also recognized and awarded a $500 cash prize to support school programs.
“I want all of you to be successful,” Perdue told the winners. “The best way to guarantee success is by continuing your education after high school.”
The contest gives kindergarten through fifth grade students a chance to share in nearly $20,000 in SMART529 savings for higher education. Three age group winners (K-1, 2-3, 4-5) were judged in each of the five regions, making for a total of 15 winners. Former State Board of Education member Priscilla Haden and former Charleston Daily Mail publisher Nanya Friend judged the entries. Essays were judged on originality, creativity and the importance of post-secondary education.
2014 “When I Grow Up” Contest Student Winners
Name
|
Grade
|
School
|
County
|
Occupation
|
Natalie Gunnoe
|
1
|
Maxwell Hill
|
Raleigh
|
Dentist
|
Diesel Bryant
|
3
|
Verdunville Grade
|
Logan
|
Scientist
|
Jordan Morris
|
5
|
Gauley River Elem.
|
Nicholas
|
Detective
|
Landon Kennedy
|
K
|
Mountain View
|
Putnam
|
Eye Doctor
|
Nicholas Kennedy
|
3
|
Mountain View
|
Putnam
|
Pediatric Dentist
|
Emily Harper
|
5
|
Overbrook Elem.
|
Kanawha
|
President
|
Dominic Egidi
|
K
|
Suncrest Primary
|
Monongalia
|
Doctor
|
Kenly Rogers
|
2
|
East Dale Elem.
|
Marion
|
Designer
|
JD Love
|
5
|
Simpson Elem.
|
Harrison
|
Neurologist
|
Chloe Hiet
|
1
|
Opequon Elem.
|
Berkeley
|
Principal
|
Andrew Oyerly
|
2
|
Shepherdstown Elem.
|
Jefferson
|
Teddy Bear Factory Owner
|
Brynne Hartung
|
4
|
Frankfort Intermediate
|
Mineral
|
Architect
|
Blake Mitchell
|
K
|
Doddridge County Elem.
|
Doddridge
|
Zookeeper
|
Dominic Guiddy
|
3
|
Liberty Elem.
|
Hancock
|
Robotic Engineer
|
Riley Smith
|
4
|
Greenmont Elem.
|
Wood
|
Lego Designer
|
2014 Teachers’ Contest Winner
In addition to the student winners, Shady Spring Elementary School teacher Julia Reynolds was awarded $2,500 cash for her essay about how she planned to educate children about going to college and saving with the SMART529 program. The teachers’ entries were judge by Terry Reale, a consultant with the West Virginia Department of Education.
“We rely on teachers to emphasis the importance of saving for higher education. I am thrilled to continue a program that will reward them for making a special effort to encourage their students to think beyond high school,” said Perdue.
The “When I Grow Up” student and teacher essay contests are sponsored by the SMART529 College Savings Program, The Hartford and the West Virginia State Treasurer’s Office to promote awareness of SMART529 and the need for higher education savings.
Information about this year’s essay contests were made available through www.SMART529.com, in the SMART529 program’s school newsletter and direct mail publications.
SMART529 is a qualified tuition program issued by the West Virginia Prepaid College Tuition and Savings Program Board of Trustees and administered by Hartford Life.
Complete information about the SMART529 program and contests is available at www.SMART529.com.