Home » 8 Kentucky families win $1,000 college savings plan accounts through library reading program

8 Kentucky families win $1,000 college savings plan accounts through library reading program

DDbIz_QXoAAZL-0FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 18, 2017) — Eight Kentucky children are getting a head start on saving for college after participating in a statewide reading program through their local libraries.

As winners of the Kentucky Education Savings Plan Trust’s (KESPT) “Read. Save for College. Change the World.” reading program, each winning child’s family will receive a $1,000 Kentucky 529 college savings plan account. Plus, the winners’ local libraries will receive $500 to use for future reading programs. KESPT is Kentucky’s official Section 529 College Savings Plan.

KESPT and the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) teamed up to offer “Read. Save for College. Change the World.” to emphasize the importance of reading year-round and saving early for college. Thousands of children participated at libraries across the state, and more than 4,500 families entered for a chance to win a KESPT college savings plan account.

“Research shows that children who participate in Summer Reading Programs at public libraries keep their brains active and enter school in the fall ready to learn,” says Krista King-Oaks, youth services consultant at the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives.

Parents, grandparents and guardians were invited to participate in the KESPT reading program on behalf of a Kentucky child age 18 or younger. The students were randomly selected to win.

“We want to ensure that families across Kentucky are aware of KESPT and the advantages of saving with a 529 College Savings Plan while their children are young,” said David Lawhorn, KESPT program manager. “Libraries are a terrific partner in promoting the importance of education, and we very much value their partnership.”

The eight children who will receive a $1,000 KESPT college savings plan account and the libraries that will receive $500 are:

• Brianne Biedenharn of Erlanger, Kenton County Public Library
• Mason Bramschreiber of Owensboro, Daviess County Public Library
• Michele Bransum of Nancy, Pulaski County Public Library
• Emilee Bottorff of Westport, Oldham County Public Library
• Teagan Dezarn of McKee, Jackson County Public Library
• Thatcher Newnum of Benton, Marshall County Public Library
• Jaxon Sturgill of Stafford, Johnson County Public Library
• Brooks Tracy of Versailles, Woodford County Public Library

The KESPT “Read. Save for College. Change the World.” reading program was offered during the nationwide Collaborative Summer Library Program. Many Kentucky libraries participate each year to encourage children to continue reading through the summer.