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

State Treasurer Larry Pack today named Noah Yearout, a fifth-grade student at Hope Grove Home School in Mercer County, this year’s $5,000 Grand Prize Winner of the 2025 SMART529 “When I Grow Up” essay contest during a special recognition ceremony Monday at the Culture Center in Charleston.

The annual essay contest’s 15 regional student winners along with their families attended Monday’s awards ceremony to be recognized and read their winning essays.

Noah was one of 15 regional winners of the essay contest and was randomly selected as the grand prize winner during the awards ceremony. In his essay, he wrote about his dream of growing up to become an IT Specialist.

“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 19th 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, nearly 2,000 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 Noah Yearout.

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

The winners, their schools (2025-2026 school year) and their dream professions are:

2026 “When I Grow Up” Contest Student Winners

Region One: 

• Lilly Phipps, Kindergarten at Mountain Valley Elementary in Mercer County – Artist
• Jada Harris, 2nd Grade at Crescent Elementary in Raleigh County – Pediatrician 
• Noah Yearout, 5th Grade at Hope Grove Home School in Mercer County – IT Specialist
  

Region Two: 

• Iris Strader, 1st Grade at Flinn Elementary in Kanawha County – Florist
• Chase Behre, 2nd Grade at Montrose Elementary in Kanawha County – Transportation Engineer 
• Charleigh Riley, 5th Grade at Belle Elementary in Kanawha County – Fashion Designer

Region Three: 

• William Lenhart, Kindergarten at Cheat Lake Elementary in Monongalia County – Mechanical Engineer
• Rhett Koval, 2nd Grade at St. Francis de Sales Central Catholic School in Monongalia County – Pharmaceutical Scientist
• Lydia Wood, 5th Grade at Sweet Woods Academy in Upshur County – Chef

Region Four: 

• Liam Close, 1st Grade at Beverly Elementary in Randolph County – Farmer 
• Shea Kozik, 2nd Grade at Midland Elementary in Randolph County – Nature Scientist  
• Alexander Bankhurst, 4th Grade at Shepherdstown Elementary in Jefferson County – Architect
  

Region Five: 

• Nora Lynch, 1st Grade at A.T. Wheeling Country Day School in Ohio County – Animal Shelter Vet 
• Levi Schumacher, 2nd Grade at AT Allison Elementary in Hancock County – Farmer
• Iyla Burke, 4th Grade at Middle Creek Elementary in Ohio County – Pilot

 The statewide teacher winner was:

2026 ‘When I Grow Up’ Statewide Teacher Winner: 

• Mrs. Carly Phillips, Counselor at Elm Grove and Warwood Elementary, Ohio 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.