Treasurer Lynn Fitch and College Savings Mississippi announce winners of art contest

For the fifth year in a row, State Treasurer Lynn Fitch and College Savings Mississippi have provided students across Mississippi the opportunity to win scholarships through the College Savings Mississippi Art Contest.

“I am excited about the opportunity to award over $4,000 in Mississippi Affordable College Savings (MACS) scholarships to these talented Mississippi students,” said Treasurer Lynn Fitch. “This contest provides a great opportunity for students of all ages to both express what they picture for their own future and start saving for that future, as well.”

“Our objective through College Savings Mississippi is to provide families across this State an affordable way to save for their children’s education.  We hope these scholarships are a step forward in building a strong foundation for a brighter future,” Treasurer Fitch continued. “Today’s students are tomorrow’s workforce and will build Mississippi’s economy.  We all benefit when we help them reach their goals.”

This year’s art contest proved to be the most successful yet, with over 1,300 submitted art entries from students all across the State. A $529 MACS scholarship will be awarded to the first place contestant, a $250 MACS scholarship to the second place contestant, and a $100 MACS scholarship to the third place contestant in each of the following age categories: Pre-Kindergarten – 2^nd Grade, 3^rd – 5^th Grade, 6^th – 8^th Grade, and 9^th – 12^th Grade.

Artwork was judged by a panel of four: Limeul Eubanks, Ricky Nobile, Charlotte Smelser, and Herbert Mays. Eubanks is works in the Arts and World Languages office at the Mississippi Department of Education. Nobile is a cartoonist and caricature artist whose works you may have seen in the Mississippi Business Journal and many Mississippi newspapers. Smelser is the Arts Education Director at the Mississippi Arts Commission. Mays is a professional portrait painter.

Treasurer Fitch and College Savings Mississippi have awarded scholarships to the following students:

Pre-K – 2^nd Grade Division First Place Winner: Sawyer Robinson, 2^nd Grade, Union Elementary
Pre-K – 2^nd Grade Division Second Place Winner: Marley’ Rose Martin, Kindergarten, Galloway Elementary
Pre-K – 2^nd Grade Division Third Place Winner: Cecilia Duhon, 1^st Grade, Benedict Day School
3^rd – 5^th Grade Division First Place Winner: Bailee Knight, 4^th Grade, Union Elementary
3^rd – 5^th Grade Division Second Place Winner: Chloe Cooper, 5^th Grade, Union Middle School
3^rd – 5^th Grade Division Third Place Winner: LaCee Bishop, 5^th Grade, Union Middle School
6^th – 8^th Grade Division First Place Winner: Bella Jeter, 7^th Grade, New Albany Middle School
6^th – 8^th Grade Division Second Place Winner: Jaslyn Moy, 7^th Grade, Germantown Middle School                                                          6^th – 8^th Grade Division Third Place Winner: Aubri Sparkman, 6^th Grade, Homeschool
9^th – 12^th Grade Division First Place Winner: Yu Hyun Oh, 12^th Grade, Cedar Lake Christian Academy
9^th – 12^th Grade Division Second Place Winner: Ashley Thurman, 10^th Grade, Forest Hill High School                                          9^th – 12^th Grade Division Third Place Winner: Reggi Pech, 12^th Grade, Clarksdale High School

In addition, the teacher with the most entries will be awarded a $100 MACS scholarship to distribute how she sees fit.  This year, this prize goes to Christy Bievenour, an art teacher at Woolmarket Elementary, with 95 entries.  “I am so grateful to Ms. Bievenour and all the Mississippi teachers who inspire our children daily to fulfill their dreams,” said Treasurer Fitch.

College Savings Mississippi is a division of the State Treasurer’s Office and operates the two state-sponsored 529 college savings plans, MACS and MPACT (Mississippi Prepaid Affordable College Tuition).  For more information about these plans, visit www.treasurerlynnfitch.com.