Tuba City Boarding School student wins fourth-annual AZ529 Essay Writing Contest

Sixth grade student one of 20 state winners, represents Coconino County

PHOENIX — Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee honored 20 Arizona fifth and sixth grade students as winners of the fourth-annual AZ529 Essay Writing Contest.

The 20 winners represent different schools among district, charter, private, Bureau of Indian Education and homeschools, representing all of Arizona’s 15 counties.

Janie, a sixth grade student attending Tuba City Boarding School was the winner for Coconino County.

AZ529, Arizona’s Education Savings Plan together with the Arizona State Treasurer’s Office asked Arizona fifth and sixth graders: “What Is Your Dream Job and How Do You Plan on Achieving It in the Future?”

The winners were selected from 886 essay entries, up from 631 during last year’s essay writing contest. The essays were reviewed by a panel of judges and scored based on the ideas, organization and originality of the content provided.

“This year’s contest reached every corner of our great state to emphasize that Arizona students are planning for their future education and dream careers. It was inspiring to meet these ambitious student winners today and recognize that they are the future of our state,” Yee said. “Each of the winners has been awarded $529 in an AZ529 savings account to advance their education and achieve their desired careers.”

The winners received $529 toward a new or existing AZ529 Education Savings Plan. The amount $529 was selected to pay homage to Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code, which created the AZ529 plan. The funds may be used for future educational expenses such as tuition for college, trade schools, or workforce development training.

“We received 886 essays from across the state, all of which highlighted the dreams and aspirations of Arizona’s next generation,” Yee said. “As I have traveled across Arizona to share about the AZ529 Education Savings Plan, I am inspired that families are seeing the endless opportunities for children and their future when they set aside a savings plan for their education.”

Arizona residents can receive a dollar-for-dollar state tax deduction for contributions made to an AZ529 account each year, of up to $2,000 per beneficiary or $4,000 per beneficiary depending on filing status. Funds earned over time will remain tax-free when used for a wide variety of covered educational expenses. Additionally, friends and family members may add to a child’s AZ529 Plan at any time and earn the same tax benefits for themselves.

To read the winning essays, visit http://www.az529.gov/essaycontest.

Information provided by Kimberly Yee’s office.