CHARLESTON, W.Va. — State Treasurer Larry Pack on Monday named a Sweet Woods Academy fifth grader as one of 15 regional winners of the 2026 SMART529 “When I Grow Up” essay contest during a recognition ceremony at the Culture Center in Charleston.
Lydia Wood was a Region Three award winner. She wrote about her dream of becoming a chef. Each regional winner received $500 to be invested into a SMART529 college savings account, and each winner’s school will also receive a $500 cash prize to support school programs.
The statewide grand prize of $5,000 went to Noah Yearout, a fifth-grade student at Hope Grove Home School in Mercer County, who wrote about his dream of becoming an IT specialist. Yearout was randomly selected from among the 15 regional winners during the ceremony.
“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 Pack said. “I want to congratulate all of these students for sharing what they want to become when they grow up.”
Now in its 19th year, the contest drew nearly 2,000 entries from West Virginia students in grades K-5. Students submitted essays of 200 words or less explaining what they want to be when they grow up. Entries were judged on originality, creativity and the importance of post-secondary education. Essays were divided into three age groups — grades K-1, 2-3, and 4-5 — across five geographic regions, producing the 15 regional winners.
The full list of regional winners:
Region One: Lilly Phipps, Kindergarten, Mountain Valley Elementary, Mercer County (Artist); Jada Harris, 2nd Grade, Crescent Elementary, Raleigh County (Pediatrician); Noah Yearout, 5th Grade, Hope Grove Home School, Mercer County (IT Specialist)
Region Two: Iris Strader, 1st Grade, Flinn Elementary, Kanawha County (Florist); Chase Behre, 2nd Grade, Montrose Elementary, Kanawha County (Transportation Engineer); Charleigh Riley, 5th Grade, Belle Elementary, Kanawha County (Fashion Designer)
Region Three: William Lenhart, Kindergarten, Cheat Lake Elementary, Monongalia County (Mechanical Engineer); Rhett Koval, 2nd Grade, St. Francis de Sales Central Catholic School, Monongalia County (Pharmaceutical Scientist); Lydia Wood, 5th Grade, Sweet Woods Academy, Upshur County (Chef)
Region Four: Liam Close, 1st Grade, Beverly Elementary, Randolph County (Farmer); Shea Kozik, 2nd Grade, Midland Elementary, Randolph County (Nature Scientist); Alexander Bankhurst, 4th Grade, Shepherdstown Elementary, Jefferson County (Architect)
Region Five: Nora Lynch, 1st Grade, A.T. Wheeling Country Day School, Ohio County (Animal Shelter Vet); Levi Schumacher, 2nd Grade, AT Allison Elementary, Hancock County (Farmer); Iyla Burke, 4th Grade, Middle Creek Elementary, Ohio County (Pilot)
The statewide teacher winner was Mrs. Carly Phillips, counselor at Elm Grove and Warwood Elementary in Ohio County.
More information about SMART529 college savings plans is available at SMART529.com.
