YOUNG READERS WIN MORE THAN $10,000 WITH READING MAKES CENT$
Program Rewards Virginia Students and Schools for Reading
Richmond, Virginia – May 24, 2016 – Virginia529 College Savings Plan (Virginia529) and the Virginia Council on Economic Education (VCEE) announce the winners of this year’s Reading Makes Cent$ financial literacy program sweepstakes and library contest.
Nearly 300 participating Virginia elementary school librarians read books provided by Virginia529 and taught financial literacy lessons developed by VCEE to their students in kindergarten through third grade.
The librarians then encouraged their students to complete the program’s challenge to read five books for a chance to win a $529 Virginia529 inVEST savings account.
From a random drawing of nearly 2,000 entries, 13 students won college savings accounts:
Adam Adkremi, Lake Ridge Elementary School, Woodbridge
Avery Linkous. Pulaski Elementary School, Pulaski
Catherine Wolf, Holy Cross Academy, Fredericksburg
Colette Britton, Holy Cross Academy, Fredericksburg
Daniel Garcia, L.L. Beazley Elementary School, Prince George
Jack Loftis, Southeastern Elementary School, Chesapeake
Khi Benton, Sewells Point Elementary School, Norfolk
Lillian Sembello, Price’s Fork Elementary School, Blacksburg
Lynzi Elledge, Laurel Elementary School, Austinville
Ona Orenic, Smithland Elementary School, Harrisonburg
Reagan Carroll, South Elementary School, Disputanta
Taylor Heishman, Ottobine Elementary School, Dayton
Violet Teague, Silverbrook Elementary School, Fairfax Station
Every participating librarian received three financial literacy books to add to their school’s library. At the end of the program, the librarian in each of seven districts with the highest student participation wins books for their library valued at $500, each with a theme involving economics and finance.
The winning librarians are:
Angie Robinson, Laurel Elementary School, Austinville
Beth Yelverton, Ottobine Elementary School, Dayton
Heather Wallace, Pearl Sample Elementary School, Culpeper
Jamie Westbay, L.L. Beazley Elementary School, Prince George
Lona Tonelson, Sewells Point Elementary School, Norfolk
Nora Kluender, R.S. Payne Elementary School, Lynchburg
Tess Thome, Holy Cross Academy, Fredericksburg
With input from the Virginia Association of School Librarians (VAASL), Virginia529 and VCEE will begin planning for next year’s Reading Makes Cent$ challenge, adding new books and age-appropriate activities for students to learn about personal finance.
“Virginia529 and VCEE are proud to provide this program to elementary schools and students across Virginia. We’re very excited to teach children about financial empowerment while encouraging reading at the same time,” said Virginia529 CEO Mary Morris.
Virginia elementary schools interested in earning free books for their libraries can find program information at ReadingMakesCents.com.
About Virginia529 College Savings Plan:
Virginia529 makes higher education more accessible and affordable for families and individuals. With $54 billion in assets under management and 2.4 million accounts as of December 31, 2015, Virginia529 is the largest 529 plan available. Four flexible, affordable, tax-advantaged programs–Virginia529 prePAID SM (prePAID SM), Virginia529 inVEST SM (inVEST SM), CollegeAmerica® and CollegeWealth®–and early commitment scholarship program SOAR Virginia® assist students of any age in reaching their higher education goals. For more information on Virginia529’s college savings options, visit Virginia529.com or call 1-888-567-0540 to obtain program materials. These include information on Virginia529 programs, investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses and other important information; read and consider them carefully before investing. All investments are subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. Virginia529 encourages prospective participants to seek the advice of a professional concerning any financial, tax or legal implications related to opening an account. For residents of states other than Virginia: your state or the beneficiary’s state of residence (if different) may sponsor a 529 plan that offers state income tax and other benefits not available to you through Virginia529 College Savings Plan. ©2016 Virginia College Savings Plan. All Rights Reserved.
About Virginia Council on Economic Education:
VCEE is a nonprofit organization that provides Virginia’s K-12 students with the economic knowledge and financial skills needed to thrive in our dynamic economy. By providing quality training and up-to-date resources, VCEE partners with teachers and school divisions to help students develop decision-making skills needed to be informed consumers, productive employees or innovative entrepreneurs, thoughtful investors, and reasoned voters. Visit www.VCEE.org.
# # #
Kelley Hope | Communications Manager
Virginia529 College Savings Plan
(804) 225-2452
Program Rewards Virginia Students and Schools for Reading
Richmond, Virginia – May 24, 2016 – Virginia529 College Savings Plan (Virginia529) and the Virginia Council on Economic Education (VCEE) announce the winners of this year’s Reading Makes Cent$ financial literacy program sweepstakes and library contest.
Nearly 300 participating Virginia elementary school librarians read books provided by Virginia529 and taught financial literacy lessons developed by VCEE to their students in kindergarten through third grade.
The librarians then encouraged their students to complete the program’s challenge to read five books for a chance to win a $529 Virginia529 inVEST savings account.
From a random drawing of nearly 2,000 entries, 13 students won college savings accounts:
Adam Adkremi, Lake Ridge Elementary School, Woodbridge
Avery Linkous. Pulaski Elementary School, Pulaski
Catherine Wolf, Holy Cross Academy, Fredericksburg
Colette Britton, Holy Cross Academy, Fredericksburg
Daniel Garcia, L.L. Beazley Elementary School, Prince George
Jack Loftis, Southeastern Elementary School, Chesapeake
Khi Benton, Sewells Point Elementary School, Norfolk
Lillian Sembello, Price’s Fork Elementary School, Blacksburg
Lynzi Elledge, Laurel Elementary School, Austinville
Ona Orenic, Smithland Elementary School, Harrisonburg
Reagan Carroll, South Elementary School, Disputanta
Taylor Heishman, Ottobine Elementary School, Dayton
Violet Teague, Silverbrook Elementary School, Fairfax Station
Every participating librarian received three financial literacy books to add to their school’s library. At the end of the program, the librarian in each of seven districts with the highest student participation wins books for their library valued at $500, each with a theme involving economics and finance.
The winning librarians are:
Angie Robinson, Laurel Elementary School, Austinville
Beth Yelverton, Ottobine Elementary School, Dayton
Heather Wallace, Pearl Sample Elementary School, Culpeper
Jamie Westbay, L.L. Beazley Elementary School, Prince George
Lona Tonelson, Sewells Point Elementary School, Norfolk
Nora Kluender, R.S. Payne Elementary School, Lynchburg
Tess Thome, Holy Cross Academy, Fredericksburg
With input from the Virginia Association of School Librarians (VAASL), Virginia529 and VCEE will begin planning for next year’s Reading Makes Cent$ challenge, adding new books and age-appropriate activities for students to learn about personal finance.
“Virginia529 and VCEE are proud to provide this program to elementary schools and students across Virginia. We’re very excited to teach children about financial empowerment while encouraging reading at the same time,” said Virginia529 CEO Mary Morris.
Virginia elementary schools interested in earning free books for their libraries can find program information at ReadingMakesCents.com.
About Virginia529 College Savings Plan:
Virginia529 makes higher education more accessible and affordable for families and individuals. With $54 billion in assets under management and 2.4 million accounts as of December 31, 2015, Virginia529 is the largest 529 plan available. Four flexible, affordable, tax-advantaged programs–Virginia529 prePAID SM (prePAID SM), Virginia529 inVEST SM (inVEST SM), CollegeAmerica® and CollegeWealth®–and early commitment scholarship program SOAR Virginia® assist students of any age in reaching their higher education goals. For more information on Virginia529’s college savings options, visit Virginia529.com or call 1-888-567-0540 to obtain program materials. These include information on Virginia529 programs, investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses and other important information; read and consider them carefully before investing. All investments are subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. Virginia529 encourages prospective participants to seek the advice of a professional concerning any financial, tax or legal implications related to opening an account. For residents of states other than Virginia: your state or the beneficiary’s state of residence (if different) may sponsor a 529 plan that offers state income tax and other benefits not available to you through Virginia529 College Savings Plan. ©2016 Virginia College Savings Plan. All Rights Reserved.
About Virginia Council on Economic Education:
VCEE is a nonprofit organization that provides Virginia’s K-12 students with the economic knowledge and financial skills needed to thrive in our dynamic economy. By providing quality training and up-to-date resources, VCEE partners with teachers and school divisions to help students develop decision-making skills needed to be informed consumers, productive employees or innovative entrepreneurs, thoughtful investors, and reasoned voters. Visit www.VCEE.org.
# # #
Kelley Hope | Communications Manager
Virginia529 College Savings Plan
(804) 225-2452
