When I Grow Up contest kicks off 12th year Jan 10 2019 An astronaut. A ballerina. A teacher. An engineer. It’s time for kids in West Virginia to once again think of their answer to the age-old question: what do you want to be when you grow up? The annual When I Grow Up essay contest, sponsored by SMART529 and the State Treasurer’s Office, gives kindergarten through fifth grade students in West Virginia a chance to share in nearly $20,000 in prizes. “This contest helps highlight the importance of post-secondary education,” said State Treasurer John Perdue. “It has grown into a tradition for many families and, for me, it is an essential tool to help stress the importance of saving early for education beyond high school.” West Virginia State Treasurer John Perdue kicked off the 2019 When I Grow Up contest at Edgewood Elementary School. Regional winners are selected from five regions. Each of the five regions will have one winner from each of three grade levels (K-1, 2-3, 4-5), making for a total of 15 regional winners. Each of those 15 winners will receive $500 invested in a SMART529 college savings account and will be invited to attend an event in the fall where one grand prize winner will be randomly selected to receive a total of $5,000 in SMART529 scholarship money. All a student needs to enter the When I Grow Up essay contest is to fill out the entry form, get a parent’s signature on it, and in 100 words or less, tell us what they want to be when they grow up. The deadline for entry forms and essays submissions is Friday, February 22, 2019. No matter what a child’s dream is, this contest may bring him or her one step closer to making that dream come true! While the When I Grow Up contest centers on student entries, kids aren’t the only ones to benefit from the contest. Each school that produces a regional winner will receive a $500. Teachers also have the opportunity to compete. For the Teachers' Essay Contest, teachers are encouraged to use the When I Grow Up essay contest in their classrooms and write a short essay about the experience (500 words or less), for a chance to win a $2,500 cash prize. Learn more about the annual When I Grow Up essay contest and download the official contest rules at www.SMART529.com.