Statewide Teacher, 15 Regional Students Also Recognized at Culture Center Ceremony 

State Treasurer Larry Pack today named Cora Neace, a first-grade student at Ona Elementary School in Cabell County, this year’s $5,000 Grand Prize Winner of the 2025 SMART529 “When I Grow Up” essay contest during a special recognition ceremony Friday at the Culture Center in Charleston.

The annual essay contest’s 15 regional student winners, which were announced earlier this year, along with their families attended Friday’s awards ceremony to be recognized and read their winning essays.

Neace was one of 15 regional winners of the essay contest and was randomly selected as the grand prize winner during the awards ceremony. In her essay, she wrote about her dream of growing up to become a veterinarian.

“The When I Grow Up essay contest allows children to get together with their parents to talk about their future career goals and aspirations. The contest inspires them to start preparing to achieve those dreams,” Treasurer Pack said. “I want to congratulate all of these students for sharing what they want to become when they grow up.”

This is the 18th year for the annual When I Grow Up essay contest.

Students were required to submit, in 200 words or less, an essay that explains what they want to be when they grow up. Entries were judged on originality, creativity, and the importance of post-secondary education.

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.

Each regional winner received $500 to be invested into a SMART529 account. An additional $4,500 was awarded to the grand prize winner Cora Neace.

Each regional winner’s school will also be awarded a $500 cash prize to support school programs.

The winners, their schools (2024-2025 school year) and their dream professions are:

2025 “When I Grow Up” Contest Student Winners 

Region One: 

• Jaxon Bryant, 1st Grade at Holden Central Elementary in Logan County – Paleontologist
• Matthew “Parker” Delp, 2nd Grade at Mabscott Elementary in Raleigh County – Welder 
• Lucas Dingess, 4th Grade at Hugh Dingess Elementary in Logan County – Astronaut
  

Region Two: 

• Cora Neace, 1st Grade at Ona Elementary in Cabell County – Veterinarian
• Hayden Rolfe, 3rd Grade at Overbrook Elementary in Kanawha County – NASA Astronaut 
• Iva Flanagan, 4th Grade at Holz Elementary in Kanawha County – Fashion Designer

Region Three: 

• Aiden Jose, Kindergarten at The Bruceton School in Preston County – Mechanical Engineer
• Reese Morris, 2nd Grade at Franklin Farms Academy in Marion County – Illustrator
• Grady Walsh, 4th Grade at Terra Alta East Preston School in Preston County – Agritourism Entrepreneur
  

Region Four: 

• Roberto Gutierrez, Kindergarten at Hedgesville Elementary in Berkeley County – Scientist 
• Lyra Gildowan, 3rd Grade at Warm Springs Intermediate in Morgan County – Teuthologist  
• Corrina Burkhart, 4th Grade at Jennings Randolph Elementary in Randolph County – Entomologist
  

Region Five: 

• Maizy Cooper, Kindergarten at A.T. Allison Elementary in Hancock County – Architect 
• Hudson Adams, 2nd Grade at Wheeling Country Day School in Ohio County – Penguinologist 
• Gabby Dantrassy, 5th Grade at Glen Dale Elementary in Marshall County – Virtual Reality Game Designer

The statewide teacher winner was:

2025 ‘When I Grow Up’ Statewide Teacher Winner: 

• Mrs. Beth Jones, Teacher at Sophia Christian Academy, Raleigh County 

SMART529 is a qualified tuition program issued by the Board of Trustees of the West Virginia College and Jumpstart Savings Programs and administered by Hartford Funds. Complete information about SMART529 plans and investment options is available at www.SMART529.com.