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CHARLESTON - Two local students were announced as winners Wednesday in a statewide essay contest.
Felicity LaMora, a first-grader at at Beverly Elementary in Randolph County, and Theodore "Teddy" Metz, a third-grader at Philippi Elementary in Barbour County, were both first-place winners in the SMART529 "When I Grow Up" essay contest.
According to their essays, LaMora wants to be a teacher when she grows up, while Metz wants to become a plumber.
State Treasurer Riley Moore announced the 15 regional student winners and statewide teacher winner of the contest, which asks students in kindergarten through fifth grades to write an essay about what they want to be when they grow up. Elementary school teachers can also participate by submitting an essay about how they would use the contest in the classroom to inspire their students.
This year, 3,315 West Virginia students submitted essays as part of the contest. Essays from three age groups (grades K-1, 2-3, and 4-5) were judged in each of the five geographic regions, generating a total of 15 regional winners.
The winners were announced as part of national 529 Day, an annual celebration on May 29 that raises awareness for 529 college savings plans around the country.
Each regional winner will receive $500 invested into a SMART529 account. An additional $4,500 will be awarded to a grand prize winner, who will be randomly selected during a reception and ceremony this September at the Culture Center in Charleston.
Each regional winner's school will also be awarded a $500 cash prize to support school programs.
The winners, their schools and their dream professions are:
Region One:
∫ Emma Stover, Kindergarten at New River Primary in Fayette County - Teacher
∫ Gage Cline, 2nd Grade at Shady Spring Elementary in Raleigh County - Chef
∫ Piper Brady, 5th Grade at Stanaford Elementary in Raleigh County - Author
Region Two:
∫ Keira Spaulding, Kindergarten at Crum PK-8 in Wayne County - Paleontologist & Museum Owner
∫ Ava Metz, 3rd Grade at Eastbrook Elementary in Putnam County - Egyptologist
∫ Charles "Charlie" Davis, 5th Grade at Holz Elementary in Kanawha County - Computer Programmer
Region Three:
∫ Carson Wray, 1st Grade at Nutter Fort Primary in Harrison County - Animation Designer
∫ Theodore "Teddy" Metz, 3rd Grade at Philippi Elementary in Barbour County - Plumber
∫ Morgan Hayhurst, 5th Grade at Covenant Christian School in Monongalia County - Astrophysicist
Region Four:
∫ Felicity LaMora, 1st Grade at Beverly Elementary in Randolph County - Teacher
∫ Oforiwaa Amofah-Yeboah, 3rd Grade at Orchard View Intermediate in Berkeley County - Scientist
∫ Edith Ellsworth, 4th Grade at Orchard View Intermediate in Berkeley County - Special Education Teacher
Region Five:
∫ Cullen Gregory, 1st Grade at New Manchester Elementary in Hancock County - Movie Director
∫ Eliana Pentino, 2nd Grade at Steenrod Elementary in Ohio County - Veterinarian
∫ Madison Reiner, 4th Grade at Lubeck Elementary in Wood County - Wolf Biologist
Kindergarten through fifth grade teachers also had the opportunity to compete in the teacher portion of the essay contest.This year's winning teacher receives a $2,500 cash prize:
∫ Mrs. Saida Chaieb, Kindergarten Teacher at Spring Hill Elementary, Cabell County
The winners, their families and school officials have been invited to an awards ceremony at the state Culture Center in Charleston this September to be officially recognized and have an opportunity to read their essays. The grand prize winner will then be randomly selected at the ceremony.