Valle students share future goals at start of education essay contest

PHOENIX — September marks the beginning of College Savings Month in Arizona. Arizona State Treasurer Kimberly Yee is kicking off the month with an essay contest asking students to write about their dream jobs.

Twenty winners from across Arizona will receive $529 in their AZ529 account.

At the Boys and Girls Club of the Valley, there are many children with big dreams.

“I want to be a volleyball coach and a math or ELA teacher,” said sixth-grader Bellamar Scott-Ramos.

“I want to be a footballer and a lawyer because I am good at arguing,” said Charles Strand-Flores.

To achieve these goals, these fifth- and sixth-graders want to earn a college degree.

Treasurer Yee tells them about the essay contest they can enter so they can get a head start.

“It’s a very short paragraph that you write about what you want to be when you grow up,” Yee said. “That will give you the opportunity to submit it and win $529 for your future education.”

Yee is trying to reach as many children and parents as possible by again traveling around the state to promote the contest and savings plan.

“We’ve seen tremendous growth in this program. In just 46 months, we’ve seen 44,500 new families enroll in an education savings plan,” Yee said.

Strand-Flores says she plans to take what she learned today and start saving.

“If you save, you have it when you need it. And when you have a lot, you can give it to other people.”

Yee adds that if your child ultimately decides college isn’t for him, the money saved can be spent on other types of education, such as vocational schools, trade programs and workforce development.

The essay contest runs through October 6 and submissions can be made online. Learn more here.