Fifth Graders across Arizona submitted essays sharing their future career plans
ARIZONA – Twenty Arizona Fifth Graders were selected as winners of the AZ529 second annual essay writing contest. The winners come from across the state, representing 12 of Arizona’s 15 counties.
In their essays, AZ529, Arizona’s Education Savings Plan, asked students to answer the question, “What is your dream job and how do you plan on achieving it in the future?”
The 20 winners will each receive an AZ529 prize worth $529. The funds may be used for future educational expenses such as tuition for college, trade schools or workforce development training. Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee, the Administrator of the AZ529 Plan, along with a panel of judges reviewed each submission and scored it based on the ideas, organization, and originality of the content provided. The essays featured students with diverse aspirations including those wishing to become professional athletes, astronauts, scientists, doctors and even two students who would like to become the President of the United States.
“It was so encouraging to see the inspirational dreams of our young contestants as they described what they want to grow up and be one day, I am proud of the ambitious goals these Fifth Graders have set for themselves,” said Treasurer Kimberly Yee. “Students representing every corner of our great state continue to reach and exceed their accomplishments through education. This contest exemplified the wide variety of careers these children are planning to pursue one day. The AZ529 Plan is thrilled to recognize Arizona’s next generation of leaders for their passionate dreams with a $529 boost to their future education savings.”
AZ529, Arizona’s Education Savings Plan offers a tax-advantaged way to set money aside for post-high school educational pursuits. The AZ529 Plan has almost $2 billion in assets and more than 95,000 participating accounts. Since the Arizona Treasurer’s Office started administering the Plan last Fall, newly opened accounts have spiked with over 10,000 new accounts. Saving money for a child’s future education early on is one of the most important decisions that a family can make. A dedicated savings plan can help students achieve their education and career training goals while minimizing the need for burdensome student debt. Savings can be used to pay for educational expenses at a variety of institutions, including a university, community college, and workforce development program. Additionally, friends and family members who are Arizona residents can contribute to a child’s AZ529 Plan and earn tax benefits. With the AZ529 Plan, the opportunities for obtaining a quality education are endless.
Five young writers in Maricopa County won the judges over with their creativity, skill, and overall quality of their essays. The talented winners are Saria and David who both attend Tarwater Elementary School in Chandler; Diana from Vista College Prep in Phoenix; Ethan attending Chandler Online; and Scarlette, who goes to Verrado Elementary in Buckeye. The exceptional essays from this group include plans to become a lawyer, a writer, an aerospace engineer, an astrophysicist, and an MLB player.
In Pima County, four additional winners were selected. The prize recipients are Jake and Katie from Wilson K-8 in Tucson; Michael from Sahuarita; and Atreyu from Marana, who attends Legacy Traditional.
The student from Graham County receiving $529 toward her future educational expenses is Elizabeth from Soloman Elementary School. She plans to become a geologist when she graduates from college.
In Pinal County, the highest essay score was earned by Charlie, who attends Anthem K-8. Her goal is to become an interior designer.
The selected winner in Gila County is Arielle who is home schooled in Payson. She wrote about her dream to become an architect in the future.
Teagan from Flagstaff Junior Academy is the winner for Coconino County. She hopes to own a business that creates sculptures from recycled plastic.
In Mohave County, Brooklyn from Camp Mohave Elementary submitted the winning essay. Brooklyn vows to work hard and become a paramedic after attending a local college.
Madelyn wrote the prize-winning essay for Yavapai County. She intends to focus her career path on becoming a small animal veterinarian one day. She attends Trinity Christian School in Prescott.
In Yuma, Jayden submitted the winning essay for his county. He will study to become a lawyer in the future and currently attends Salida Del Sol Elementary School.
Greenlee County’s winning essay belongs to Matthew. He can’t wait to become a Lego designer one day. He entered the contest from Fairbanks Middle School in Morenci.
In Navajo County, Peyton is the prize winner for her county. She is eager to attend college and study to become a pediatric cardiologist one day. She attends Nikolaus Homestead School in Show Low.
Further South, in Cochise County the outstanding essay was written by Haddie. She is planning to become a librarian after college because of her love of books. She attends the Community Montessori School of Bisbee.
Finally, the winner in Santa Cruz County is Saumya. He wrote about wanting to become a skilled surgeon one day. He is attending Mary L. Welty Elementary School in Nogales.
For more information about the AZ529 Plan, please visit http://www.az529.gov.
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 4:18 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021, to correct the elementary school for Mohave County’s winner.
