More than 2,200 essays were received from students all across the state. Learning Quest sponsored the essay contest for all seventh and eighth grade students in Kansas to encourage them to take an active role in planning for their educational future. Two winners and two runner-ups, one per grade, were selected to win a $1,000 or $500 Learning Quest college savings account. Riley White is the winner of the eighth grade contest and will be presented a check for a $1,000 Learning Quest account by Treasurer Jenkins.

Students were asked to write about the most important thing that school prepares you for in life. ,p> "I am pleased for Riley and her parents, as well as for her teacher. We had many great entries in our essay contest," said State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins. "I'm thrilled to be able to personally make this presentation in St. Marys."

The presentation takes place at St. Marys Jr/Sr High School, 601 Lasley, tomorrow at10:30 a.m.

Launched in July 2000, The Learning Quest 529 Education Savings Program was designed with features and benefits to make investing for college a reality. In addition to professional money management, Kansas taxpayers can receive a state adjusted gross income deduction of up to $3,000 per child ($6,000 if married, filing jointly) on contributions to Learning Quest. This benefit is in addition to the federal and state tax benefits of tax-deferred growth and tax-free withdrawals for qualified educational expenses.*

General information about Learning Quest is available by calling 1-877-345-8837 ext. 2181 or by visiting learningquest.com. Investment advisors interested in Learning Quest Advisor should call 1-877-882-6236 or visit americancentury.com/ipro.

Treasurer Lynn Jenkins, CPA is a former State Representative and Senator from Topeka and was elected as the 37th State Treasurer on Nov. 5, 2002. For more information about the Kansas 529 program or any of the programs offered by Treasurer Jenkins, please visit www.KansasStateTreasurer.com.

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.

* Changes resulting from the 2001 Tax Act are effective through Dec. 31, 2010, and may be extended past that date with further legislation. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. As with any investment, withdrawal value may be more or less than the original investment.

Before investing, carefully consider the plan's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This information and more about the plan can be found in the Learning Quest Handbook, available by contacting your financial advisor or 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.

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.