ABOUT THE CONTEST
In October, West Virginia State Treasurer Larry Pack will kick off the 19th annual When I Grow Up Essay Contest. Sponsored by the SMART529 college savings program, the essay contest is a highly successful initiative to encourage West Virginia students in grades K-5 to dream about their future, award them for doing so and educate them on the importance of higher education.
YOUR STUDENT COULD WIN UP TO $5,000 FOR COLLEGE!
Contest entry forms and rules will be mailed to all West Virginia schools with K-5 students. Students simply write a 200 word or less essay that begins “When I Grow Up, I want to be...”
Regional winners will be selected from five regions by a panel of judges. Each of the five regions will have one winner from each of three grade levels: Kindergarten – 1st; 2nd – 3rd; and 4th – 5th. Each regional winner is awarded $500 in a SMART529 College Savings account. Each student winner’s school will receive a $500 cash prize.The fifteen regional winners are entered into a random grand prize drawing for an additional $4,500 in a SMART529 College Savings account.
Parents and teachers are encouraged to help younger children as needed. (Students can include a drawing/picture if they desire.) Student must have parent’s permission to enter.
TEACHERS, COUNSELORS AND LIBRARIANS CAN WIN UP TO $2,500!
Teachers, counselors and librarians can enter the contest by responding to the essay question: How have you/will you use the SMART529 When I Grow Up Essay Contest to emphasize the importance of higher education to your students? Answers must be 500 words or less.
Teacher contest prize is $2,500 cash. See official rules and enter at SMART529.com/teacherentry.