"We hope the contest will encourage individuals, families, businesses, classrooms, civic organizations, and other groups to showcase their recycling efforts to the rest of the state and to also think about their educational futures."

"Normally, one wouldn't connect recycling cans and bottles to saving for college," Jenkins said. "But when you think about it, both are ways that we can take action today that will impact the resources that are available to us in the future. When we set goals for the things we want in the future like a cleaner environment or educational opportunities for our children and grandchildren, we have to do things today to make it happen.

To participate in the contest, visit www.GetCaughtRecycling.org/contest.htm for the official entry form and additional information. Prizes and recognition will be awarded to the contest participants. They include:

• One, $2,500 grand prize Learning Quest College Savings Account, which can be used for qualified higher education expenses at any public or private university, college, or technical school. (Funds will be submitted in the winner's name to the Kansas Learning Quest 529 Education Savings Program.)*
• Ten, $500 Learning Quest College Savings Accounts, which can be used for qualified higher education expenses at any public or private university, college, or technical school. (Funds will be submitted in the winner's name to the Kansas Learning Quest 529 Education Savings Program.)*
• 105, $100 cash prizes---one cash prize will be awarded per county.
• ALL entries will receive an official Certificate of Recycling Recognition.

Funding for the Learning Quest accounts is from American Century Investments, the Kansas 529 program manager and KDHE. Winners of the contest will be announced at the State Fair in September.

Learning Quest offers tax advantages under both Kansas and federal laws. A Kansas taxpayer may take an annual deduction of up to $3,000 ($6,000 for married, filing jointly) from their Kansas adjusted gross income for contributions into each beneficiary's Learning Quest account. Under current law, the money grows tax-free if it is used for qualified education expenses.*

Learning Quest, created by the State Legislature in 1999, has grown to more than $1 billion in assets and over 84,000 accounts. The program is administered by the Kansas State Treasurer's office and is professionally managed by American Century Investments.

Jenkins, a former State Representative and Senator from Topeka, was elected Treasurer on Nov. 5, 2002. She is a Certified Public Accountant and former small business owner. Since being sworn into office in January 2003, Jenkins has expanded investment options in Learning Quest, initiated multiple financial literacy programs, and eliminated the reliance on state general fund dollars to operate the office.

Before investing, carefully consider the plans investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This information and more about the plan can be found in the Learning Quest Handbook, available from American Century Investment Services, Inc., Distributor and Underwriter at 1-800-579-2203, and should be read carefully before investing. If you are not a Kansas taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the beneficiary's home state offers a 529 Plan that provides its taxpayers with state tax and other benefits not available through this plan.

The availability of tax or other benefits may be conditioned on meeting certain requirements, such as residency, purpose for or timing of distributions, or other factors.

General information about Learning Quest is available by calling 1-800-579-2203 or by visiting learningquest.com. Investment advisors interested in Learning Quest Advisor should call 1-877-882-6236 or visit www.americancentury.com/ipro.

American Century Investments is a leading investment manager with nearly five decades of experience helping investors achieve their financial goals. For more information about the company, visit www.americancentury.com.

* The federal tax treatment of 529 plans under the Economic and Tax Reconciliation Act of 2001 will expire after December 31, 2010, unless Congress extends the law. Nonqualified withdrawals are subject to federal and state income tax and a 10% penalty tax.

As with any investment, withdrawal value may be more or less than the original investment. 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 Investments.