CHARLESTON, W.Va. — State Treasurer John Perdue had to make an adjustment with his annual SMART529 “When I Grow Up” essay contest Friday when it time to name the 15 regional winners and the statewide teacher winner.
Perdue usually visits the schools of the winners in the spring and brings them to Charleston for the final announcement in the fall. He chose Facebook Live to announce the regional winners Friday because of the ongoing pandemic.
“It’s unfortunate that we couldn’t visit these students in person at their schools this year, but a live online event was the next best thing, and still an exciting way to recognize these winners,” Perdue said.
Perdue’s office has conducted the essay contest for 13 years. There’s money on the line for the winning students to invest into their SMART529 college savings program.
“This is a great program,” Perdue said. “It really helps West Virginia grow and helps grow West Virginia young people for the future of our state.”
More than 4,600 students across the state entered the essay contest this year, the highest ever. Regional winners came from three age groups in five regions. The regional winners get $500. A grand prize winner will be named in the fall and will collect an additional $4.500.
Organizers brought back a former contest winner, Kennedy Quinlan to speak during Friday’s event. She thanked her parents for sacrificing for college education early. She said her made her beginning thinking about college.
“They helped me realize how important school is,” Quinlan said.
Perdue also credited parents.
“Your parents are playing a major role in your life,” he said.
Perdue named Monongalia County teacher Tamara Klemkowsky as the program’s teacher winner Friday. She teaches second grade at Suncrest Elementary School.
The regional winners and their what they want to be when they grow up include:
Madison Barnes, first grade, Memorial Primary, Mercer County, pediatric audiologist
Mya Scyphers, second grade, Sun Valley Elementary, Mercer County, librarian
Lauren Hensley, fifth grade, Chapmanville Middle School, child psychologist
Piper Ann Carmen, first grade, Geary Elementary Middle, Roane County, nurse
Charlotte Holley, third grade, Alban Elementary, Kanawha County, author
Sophi Seay, fourth grade, Hurricane Town Elementary, Putnam County, baker
Noah Schoenberger, first grade, Brookhaven Elem., Monongalia County, author/illustrator
Dylan Roth, third grade, Lumberport Elementary, Harrison County, scientist
Isabelle Ringler, fifth grade, Eastwood Elementary, Monongalia County, teacher
Brooklyn Maxwell, first grade, Romney Elementary, Hampshire County, landscape architect
Dominic Snyder, third grade, Tomahawk Intermediate, Berkeley County, architect
Makinly Shaffer, fourth grade, Augusta Elementary, Hampshire County, dermatologist
Cameron Mitchell, kindergarten, Doddridge Co. Elementary, chef
Breena Bartley, third grade, St. Joseph’s Grade School, Hancock County, plastic surgeon
Luchia Fato, fourth grade, Wheeling Country Day School, Ohio County, cardiologist