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State Treasurer Riley Moore on Tuesday presented an 11-month-old Wheeling child and her family a $20,000 SMART529 scholarship – the first winner in the program’s 20th Anniversary Scholarship Sweepstakes.

Penelope Scripture, the daughter of Lindsey and Dion Scripture of Wheeling, was presented her prize Tuesday morning at Oglebay Resort in Wheeling. Penelope will receive $20,000 invested in a SMART529 Direct account.

“We’re proud to be able to award this first prize in our 20th Anniversary Sweepstakes,” Treasurer Moore said. “We’re especially happy to be able to award this to a child so young, as the money will be able to grow substantially by the time she gets ready to go to college. We always tell parents it’s never too early to start saving for your child’s future – something Penelope’s parents had already taken to heart. Now, young Penelope and her family will be able watch her $20,000 prize grow substantially over time.”

Penelope has a twin sister, Rosemary, and her parents had already opened a SMART529 savings account for both children.

“I believe it’s important to start saving for college as early as possible,” Penelope’s mother Lindsey said. “I opened a SMART529 account when the twins were born to start saving for their future. I’m grateful for this opportunity for Penelope and want to thank the Treasurer’s Office for this great scholarship.”

Penelope is the first of three winners in the SMART529 20th Anniversary Scholarship Sweepstakes. The scholarships are being randomly awarded to one lucky child each month from October through December.

Registration for the contest, along with rules and official information, is available online at www.wvtreasury.com/20years. The deadline to register for next month’s award is Oct. 29 – if you’ve registered previously, you’ll still be eligible for the next two awards.

To be eligible:

  • The child must be 14 years old or younger as of Aug. 10, 2022.
  • Entries must be completed by a parent or legal guardian.
  • The child AND the parent/legal guardian must be a resident of West Virginia.
  • Only one entry per eligible child permitted.
  • Multiple children in a household CAN be entered to win.

SMART529 is a qualified tuition program issued by the Board of Trustees of the West Virginia College and Jumpstart Savings Programs and administered by Hartford Funds. Complete information about SMART529 plans and investment options is available at www.SMART529.com.

The Treasury does not collect state taxes. Visit the The West Virginia State Tax Department for assistance.

West Virginia State Treasurer's Office
1900 Kanawha Boulevard
Capitol Complex Building #1, Room E-145
Charleston, West Virginia 25305
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