Montville Student Dreams Big and Wins!

More than seven dozen aspiring surgeons, ballerinas, teachers, paleontologists and, yes, Presidents of the United States were the winners of the fifth annual Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET) Dream Big! Competition.

The contest encourages Connecticut students in kindergarten through fifth grade to share their dreams about life after college through drawings and essays. The winners, who each will receive a $300 contribution to a CHET direct-sold 529 college savings plan, were recognized at a ceremony held on May 16 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.

Ellis MacKay of the Mohegan School was one of 12 winners in New London County.

“We were impressed with the heartfelt essays and expressive artwork that our talented young entrants produced for this year’s competition. It was challenging to pick winners from among more than 2,200 submissions; all of the students put forth a great effort with their drawings and essays,” said State Treasurer Denise L. Nappier, who serves as Trustee for CHET.

The Dream Big! Competition includes two categories: Students in kindergarten through grade three were asked to draw a picture that answers the question, “What do I want to do after I go to college?” Fourth and fifth graders were asked to submit essays responding to the question, “How will I change the world after I go to college?” 

Entries were judged on three criteria: creativity, originality, portrayal of theme, and for the essays, also spelling and grammar.

The State of Connecticut offers CHET to help families save for future college costs. Funds deposited into a CHET account have tax advantages and can be used at accredited colleges and universities across the country, including vocational and technical schools, and some colleges abroad.