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Pack kicks off ‘When I Grow Up’ essay contest at Kanawha County school

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — On a cold January morning, the students at Holz Elementary School in Charleston awaited new state Treasurer Larry Pack to hear about talk the Smart 529 “When I Grow Up” essay contest.

Larry Pack

Pack, still in his first month in office, is continuing the program started by past treasurers. It gives students from kindergarten to 5th grade an opportunity to win up to $5,000 in SMART529 savings for higher education. Teachers can also win up to $2,500 in cash prizes for their dedication to education in West Virginia.

“It’s a good program and makes a big difference,” Pack said at Friday’s ceremony.

Last year, Holz had 97 entries making it the fifth-highest number of submissions of any school in the state.

Holz Elementary Librarian Courtney Bartlett shared the enthusiasm.

“It gets them thinking beyond high school.” she said.

The “When I Grow Up” essay contest requires students to write about their career plans in 200 words or less. Essays will be judged based on creativity, originality, and the importance given to post-secondary education.

“The essay contest is all about bringing awareness trying to raise some excitement, to get people to start thinking about college education even at a young age even when they are children or young,” said Pack.

Pack has firsthand experience with Smart 529.

“All our children and grandchildren participated in the program so it really is a good program and makes a big difference, 25- 50 dollars a month and do it over 10-15 years it really mounts up,” said Pack.

Pack also emphasized the flexibility of the program and explained that funds can easily be transferred from one child to another. People with financial difficulties can start small and the funds will build up over time.

“It is the cumulation of interest over many years that is the magic of the program.” said Pack.

He mentioned that you do not have to be a parent or a citizen of West Virginia to invest in a child’s education, only the child needs to be a citizen of West Virginia.

“We get a lot of extended families investing in 529s for the students that are in West Virginia so it is just a phenomenal program.”

The deadline to enter the contest is Feb. 28.

Story Ananya Rautela





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