‘When I Grow Up’ Annual Essay Contest Winners Announced

Published March 23, 2026 - 4:37 pm

A man in a blue suit stands with his hands clasped in front of him. He stands next to a table where two blond girls sit. The girl on the left smiles at the camera while the girl on the right looks up at the man.

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Fifteen West Virginia students have won the state treasurer’s college savings essay contest.

SMART529 is a college savings plan offered by the Board of Trustees of the West Virginia College and Jumpstart Savings Programs.

Now in its 19th year, the “When I Grow Up” essay contest allows students to submit a short essay that explains what they want to be when they grow up. Winners receive $500 for their savings account, and another $500 for their school.

“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 Larry Pack said. “I want to congratulate all of these students for sharing what they want to become when they grow up.”

On Monday at the Culture Center in Charleston, Pack named Noah Yearout, a fifth-grade student at Hope Grove Home School in Mercer County, as this year’s $5,000 Grand Prize Winner.

“When I grow up, I want to be a tech specialist. For a long time, I’ve been collecting electronics like phones and tablets,” Noah said as he read his essay. “My passion for technology is my strength, and I cannot wait to use it to help others.”

‘When I Grow Up’ Grand Prize winner Noah Yearout shows off his $5,000 check and his $500 check March 23, 2026.

*Photo Credit:* Courtesy of the Treasurer’s Office

A young boy in a blue and orange striped polo shirt holds up two novelty checks in front of a Smart529 backdrop with piggy bank images — ‘When I Grow Up’ Grand Prize winner Noah Yearout shows off his $5,000 check and his $500 check March 23, 2026.

*Photo Credit:* Courtesy of the Treasurer’s Office

The winners, their schools and their dream professions are:

Region One:

Lilly Phipps, Kindergarten at Mountain Valley Elementary in Mercer County – Artist

Jada Harris, Second Grade at Crescent Elementary in Raleigh County – Pediatrician

Noah Yearout, Fifth Grade at Hope Grove Home School in Mercer County – IT Specialist

Region Two:

Iris Strader, First Grade at Flinn Elementary in Kanawha County – Florist

Chase Behre, Second Grade at Montrose Elementary in Kanawha County – Transportation Engineer

Charleigh Riley, Fifth 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, Second Grade at St. Francis de Sales Central Catholic School in Monongalia County – Pharmaceutical Scientist

Lydia Wood, Fifth Grade at Sweet Woods Academy in Upshur County – Chef

Region Four:

Liam Close, First Grade at Beverly Elementary in Randolph County – Farmer

Shea Kozik, Second Grade at Midland Elementary in Randolph County – Nature Scientist

Alexander Bankhurst, Fourth Grade at Shepherdstown Elementary in Jefferson County – Architect

Region Five:

Nora Lynch, First Grade at A.T. Wheeling Country Day School in Ohio County – Animal Shelter Vet

Levi Schumacher, Second Grade at AT Allison Elementary in Hancock County – Farmer

Iyla Burke, Fourth Grade at Middle Creek Elementary in Ohio County – Pilot

An educator from Ohio County, counselor Carly Phillips of Elm Grove and Warwood Elementary, was also selected as the recipient of $2,500 in the teacher portion of the essay contest.

Editor’s Note: The West Virginia Treasurer’s Office and SMART529 are sponsors of West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Above & Beyond Award.