SHENANDOAH JUNCTION, W.Va. - A first-grader at Driswood Elementary School received a $500 SMART529 college savings account after writing an essay about becoming an investigative firefighter. Ethan Smith was one of 15 West Virginia students selected as a winner of the When I Grow Up essay contest sponsored by the West Virginia State Treasurer’s Office and SMART529. Mr. Tom Lange, representing the West Virginia Treasurer’s Office, presented Ethan with his award.
The SMART529 When I Grow Up essay contest has assisted West Virginia students in dreaming big and saving for the future for over a decade. Students in grades K-5 can enter to win $5,000 in a SMART529 college savings account by writing about their future career and why they chose it. As one of the contest winners, Ethan also helped his school win a $500 cash prize. His essay is also entered into a grand prize drawing for an additional $4,500 in his new SMART529 college savings account.
Photo: DES assistant principal Jeremy Braithwaite and Tom Lange, local government specialist for Riley Moore, State Treasurer, presented DES first-grader Ethan Smith with a $500 SMART529 college savings account as a winner of the When I Grow Up essay contest.