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With his re-election in 2008 and four more years of service, Treasurer Perdue will be tied for the second-longest tenured stint as Treasurer in state history. Leading the pack is R.E. Talbott (D-Barbour), who served from 1932 to 1950. W.S. Johnson (R-Fayette) held office from 1916 to 1932.

Students awarded SMART 529 scholarships

Released 12-11-03

CHARLESTON -- Eighteen West Virginia students have been awarded money to begin a college savings plan, through the Start SMART program, administered by State Treasurer John Perdue’s office and funded by the Hartford Life Insurance Co.

Perdue and other officials held December drawings in Clarksburg, Charleston and Beckley to determine the 18 winners. Elementary and middle school students from across the state completed applications from which the names were drawn.

Winning $1,000 scholarships were:

  • John Michael George of Monongalia County
  • Dennis Osborne of Logan County
  • twins Aaron and Brandon Williams of Kanawha County

The $500 scholarship winners were:

  • Kayla Morris of Marion County
  • Sierra Perry of Harrison County
  • Chelsea Gregory of Taylor County
  • Jasmine Renee Cogar of Lewis County
  • Kathryn Jervis of Wayne County
  • Tonya Shoemaker of Wayne County
  • Jenna Jolene Kiomall of Mason County
  • Ashton Buckner, Cross Lanes, Kanawha
  • Jenna Mount, Milton Middle School, Cabell County
  • Cordell Hoskins, Page Jackson Elementary, Jefferson County
  • Chelsea Ward, Athens Elementary, Summers County
  • Ethan Moore, C.W. Shipley Elementary, Jefferson County
  • Jarod Kerns, Hillsboro Elementary, Pocahontas County
  • Markia Walker, Rosemont Elementary, Berkeley County

The $1,000 and $500 in seed money will be invested by Hartford professionals. It will be available for spending when the children are of college-going age.

“The $1,000 and $500 scholarships will help these elementary school children get a jump start on paying for their future higher education expenses,” Perdue said. “Through this scholarship contest we’re trying to get out the message that you need to start your college savings plan while your children are still young.”

Perdue says regular monthly investing, starting when the child is still young, is the best way for the typical middle income family to take advantage of the tax breaks and compounded earnings that the SMART529 college savings plan offers.

“West Virginians can open an account for as little as $100, and make additional contributions at their own pace, in amounts as little as $15 each,” Perdue said. “If our SMART529 plan does not meet your needs, you still should be saving regularly somewhere.”

SMART529 is a program of the West Virginia College Prepaid Tuition and Savings Program Board of Trustees, of which Perdue is chairman. The SMART529 scholarship contest was funded by The Hartford Life Insurance Co., which serves as program manager for the SMART529 family of college savings options.

Additional information on the SMART529 family of college savings options may be obtained by calling toll-free 877-SMRT529, visiting www.SMART529.com or by contacting an investment advisor.

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Students awarded Smart 529 scholarships Written By: Eric Tolbert
Date Posted: 6/6/2007
Number of Views: 124
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Copyright © 2007 and Paid for by the Committee Perdue 2004,
Pat Maroney Treasurer. All Rights Reserved.