TOPEKA - Kansas State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins, CPA is pleased to announce that Abbie Smith, a student at West Bourbon Elementary School in Uniontown, Kan., is the sixth-grade winner of the 2003 Learning Questâ 529 Education Savings Program's Essay Contest. Abbie is the daughter of Tracy and Teresa Smith of Moran, Kan. Her teacher at West Bourbon Elementary is Carrie Kirby. As her prize, Abbie chose an iQuest handheld study device and accessories.
Learning Quest, a Kansas 529 plan, sponsored the essay contest for all sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students in Kansas to celebrate September as National College Savings month and to encourage students to take an active role in planning for their educational future. More than 500 students submitted essays that addressed the topic: "Why is going to college important and how will I prepare for it?"
"As a parent and CPA, I know planning for a child's future is of vital importance," said Jenkins, administrator of the Learning Quest program. "Through the essay contest we hope to encourage students and parents to begin thinking about saving for college while kids are still young. The earlier a family can start saving, the more time the investments have to grow."
Other winners from the state are seventh-grader, Marie Osterhaus of Wichita and eighth-grader, Keith Swafford of Lenexa. Winners received their choice of a telescope, deluxe art set or an iQuest handheld study device and accessories.
A COPY OF ABBIE'S ESSAY FOLLOWS ON PAGE 2 OF THIS RELEASE.
Learning Quest was created by the Kansas Legislature in 1999 and was officially opened July 1, 2000. The program is administered by the Kansas State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins, CPA, and is managed by American Centuryâ Investments. For more information go online at www.learningquest.com or www.kansasstatetreasurer.com.
"Why going to college is important and how will I prepare for it?"
by Abbie Smith
Have you ever wanted to be a teacher, firefighter, or even a doctor when you were growing up? Of course you have! Every person has had a dream to be something special.
The thing that gets you to that dream career is your education. Every day you've spent in those schoolrooms is worth your while. It prepares you for college and your own life every single day in some little way.
I'm preparing myself for college by trying my best and getting good grades all through school which will help me qualify for scholarships. My parents have also worked hard to make sure that I have money to go through college. I will take challenging classes in high school as well as the college bound curriculum. I want to be a teacher. I will take classes I think will help me achieve that goal.
College is important because it gives you so many more opportunities in life. College is preparing you for a career not a job. A job is temporary, a career is a lifetime choice. College is the doorway to life. I can't wait to enter!
** Prizes are paid for by the Learning Quest Program. No taxpayer dollars are used to purchase or disburse winning prizes.
Administered by Kansas State Treasurer, Lynn Jenkins, CPA.
Managed by American Century Investment Management, Inc. Notice: Accounts established under Learning Quest and their earnings are neither insured nor guaranteed by the State of Kansas, the Kansas State Treasurer or American Century. Learning Quest is distributed by American Century Investment Services, Inc.
