MORGANTOWN – A Morgantown grandfather and grandson claimed the winning entry in “Grandparents are Great Parents,” a photo contest that put $5,000 in the young boy’s SMART529 college savings account.

          William Summers’ wife snapped a photo of the senior Summers and his grandson washing the grandfather’s pick-up truck. It was first picked by judges as the winning regional entry; later it also won a $4,500 random drawing, giving the boy $5,000 with which to start his college education.

          The Hartford and State Treasurer John Perdue’s office sponsored the contest. The Hartford supplied the prize money. Participants were asked to upload their photos for voting by a panel. Contestants could participate from across the state.

          “What we wanted to show through this contest was that grandparents can play a powerful role in helping to fund their grandchildren’s college educations,” Treasurer Perdue said. “A contribution to a young person’s college fund will last far longer and have more effect than a pile of toys that are soon discarded. Although I have nothing against toys.”

          The elder Summers said his wife happened to snap the photo. He said he wanted to impress upon Will that “excellence lies in the details.” His wife just happened to catch him and his son washing the car. “It worked out really good that way.”

          Other $500 winners, with grandparents listed first:

·        Betty Buly and grandson Alex of Pocahontas County, for their pictures extolling the virtues of recycling;

·        Dwight Williams and Will of Putnam County, learning about clouds;

·        Sharron Reel and Colton, Berkeley County, learning the art of candy making; and

·        Geni Astorg and granddaughter Haley of Wood County, using shapes and colors to develop better hand-eye skills.