Winners in the 2019 “Why I Want to Go to College” contest, sponsored by the Nebraska State Treasurer’s Office and the Omaha Storm Chasers, were announced today by Nebraska State Treasurer John Murante. The winners will be recognized Sunday, May 5, before the start of the Storm Chasers game at Werner Park in Papillion.
“It is exciting to be able to recognize our writing contest winners at Werner Park on Sunday and to present each of them with a contribution to a Nebraska Educational Savings Trust (NEST 529) college savings account. This is the 17th year of this contest for seventh and eighth graders, and, like in past years, the quality of the students’ writing, their clarity of vision for their futures, and their expressions of gratitude to parents, siblings, teachers, and mentors were tremendously impressive,” said Treasurer Murante, Trustee of NEST.
Winners receive contributions to NEST 529 college savings plans, ranging in value from $500 for third place, $1,000 for second place, and $2,000 for first place. Three winners were chosen in each of Nebraska’s three U.S. congressional districts. Three winners from outside Nebraska also were chosen.
Students were asked to reflect in their written entries on the value of education and what they hope to achieve through higher education. Winners of the 2019 contest and their hometowns are listed below:
1st Congressional District – Nebraska
First: Danica Jacobs, Wisner
Second: Cameron Becker, Lincoln
Third: Alison Tilson, Lincoln
2nd Congressional District – Nebraska
First: Avery Neneman, Omaha
Second: Andrew Weelborg, Springfield
Third: Sophie Thompson, Elkhorn
3rd Congressional District – Nebraska
First: Jackson Block, Hampton
Second: Harmon Johnsen, Sutherland
Third: Gus Elliott, Burwell
Out of State
First: Chongming Liu, Aurora, OH
Second: Chloe Timmons, Murray, IA
Third: Riley Long, Afton, IA
