Statewide Teacher, 15 Regional Student Also Recognized at Culture Center Ceremony

Emma Stover, who is now in the 1^st Grade at New River Primary in Fayette County, was named this year’s $5,000 Grand Prize Winner of the 2024 SMART529 “When I Grow Up” essay contest during a special recognition ceremony Friday at the Culture Center in Charleston.

The annual essay contest’s 15 regional student winners, which were announced earlier this year, along with their families attended Friday’s awards ceremony to be recognized and read their winning essays.

Stover was one of 15 regional winners of the essay contest and was randomly selected as the grand prize winner during the awards ceremony. In her essay, she wrote about her dream of growing up to become a teacher.

“The annual When I Grow Up essay contest is a tremendous event that allows children to get together with their parents to talk about their future career dreams, and then help them start preparing to achieve them,” said State Treasurer Riley Moore. “This contest is always heartwarming and inspiring, because it gives you a chance to hear what our children our aspiring to become. I congratulate all of these students for sharing their dreams of the future.” 

This is the 17^th year for the annual When I Grow Up essay contest.

This year, 3,315 West Virginia students submitted essays as part of the contest. Essays from three age groups (grades K-1, 2-3, and 4-5) were judged in each of the five geographic regions, generating a total of 15 regional winners.

Each regional winner received $500 to be invested into a SMART529 account. An additional $4,500 was awarded to the grand prize winner, Emma Stover. 

Each regional winner’s school will also be awarded a $500 cash prize to support school programs.

The winners, their schools and their dream professions are: 

2024 “When I Grow Up” Contest Student Winners

(NOTE: grades/schools reflect when they entered the contest last winter; they have all moved up a grade for this fall semester)

Region One: 

• Emma Stover, Kindergarten at New River Primary in Fayette County – Teacher 
• Gage Cline, 2^nd Grade at Shady Spring Elementary in Raleigh County – Chef 
• Piper Brady, 5^th Grade at Stanaford Elementary in Raleigh County – Author
  

Region Two: 

• Keira Spaulding, Kindergarten at Crum PK-8 in Wayne County – Paleontologist & Museum Owner
• Ava Metz, 3^rd Grade at Eastbrook Elementary in Putnam County – Egyptologist 
• Charles “Charlie” Davis, 5^th Grade at Holz Elementary in Kanawha County – Computer Programmer

Region Three: 

• Carson Wray, 1^st Grade at Nutter Fort Primary in Harrison County – Animation Designer
• Theodore “Teddy” Metz, 3^rd Grade at Philippi Elementary in Barbour County – Plumber  
• Morgan Hayhurst, 5^th Grade at Covenant Christian School in Monongalia County – Astrophysicist
  

Region Four: 

• Felicity LaMora, 1^st Grade at Beverly Elementary in Randolph County – Teacher 
• Oforiwaa Amofah-Yeboah, 3^rd Grade at Orchard View Intermediate in Berkeley County – Scientist  
• Edith Ellsworth, 4^th Grade at Orchard View Intermediate in Berkeley County – Special Education Teacher
  

Region Five: 

• Cullen Gregory, 1^st Grade at New Manchester Elementary in Hancock County – Movie Director 
• Eliana Pentino, 2^nd Grade at Steenrod Elementary in Ohio County – Veterinarian 
• Madison Reiner, 4^th Grade at Lubeck Elementary in Wood County – Wolf Biologist
  

Kindergarten through fifth grade teachers also had the opportunity to compete in the teacher portion of the essay contest. 

This year’s winning teacher received a $2,500 cash prize.

2024 ‘When I Grow Up’ Statewide Teacher Winner: 

• Mrs. Saida Chaieb, Kindergarten Teacher at Spring Hill Elementary, Cabell County

The When I Grow Up student and teacher essay contests are sponsored by SMART529, Hartford Funds and the West Virginia State Treasurer’s Office to promote awareness of SMART529 and the need for higher education savings.

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 and the “When I Grow Up” essay contest is available at www.SMART529.com.