CHARLESTON – The Office of West Virginia State Treasurer John Perdue is scheduled to recognize three regional student essay contest winners and present $500 checks to their schools this THURSDAY (MAY 21). The three students are among 15 regional winners in the 2015 SMART529 When I Grow Up essay contest. As a result of the students’ achievements, the respective schools will receive $500 cash awards.

Below is a schedule of presentations for Thursday, May 21:

In addition to the $500 school prizes, each essay contest winner will receive $500 invested into a SMART529 college savings plan and be recognized at a statewide awards ceremony in Charleston on September 17. At that time, each student will be entered into a random drawing for a chance to win the grand prize, a total of $5,000 invested into a SMART529 account.

SMART529 is West Virginia’s college savings program issued by the West Virginia College Prepaid Tuition and Savings Program Board of Trustees and is administered by Hartford Life. Treasurer Perdue serves as chairman of the Board. This is the eighth year for the essay contest.