State Treasurer Larry Pack today announced that Ellie Ryba, a ninth-grade student at University High School in Morgantown, is the winner for the 2026 SMART529 “Fund the Future” $10,000 Statewide Sweepstakes.

“My Office is happy to award Ellie and her family this money to start saving for her future,” Treasurer Pack said. “As a father of six children, I know how important it is to save for higher education. My hope is our children will become the future leaders of our state. I would like to congratulate Ellie and applaud all our West Virginia students who entered our sweepstakes this year.”

Ellie was randomly selected as the winner of the sweepstakes on Friday, May 22 and announced on Friday, May 29, also known as “National 529 Day.” Treasurer Pack on Friday presented Ellie with her ceremonial $10,000 check at Fat Angelo’s Pizza in Westover, which is owned by her family. She will have $10,000 deposited directly into a SMART529 College Savings Account.

Next school year, Ellie will continue her education as a tenth-grade student at University High School. In the future, she wants to pursue engineering classes.

Treasurer Pack launched the “Fund the Future” sweepstakes on May 1 in Charleston. There were 4,882 entries total. 

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.