Nola Sizemore

Staff Writer

Kindergarten through sixth grade students across the state are encouraged to participate in the upcoming Kentucky Higher Education Assistant Authority’s (KESPT) third annual “Dream Out Loud Challenge,” which will begin Martin Luther King Day on Jan. 21.

The winner of the challenge will receive $1,500 toward their college education and their school will be awarded $500.

“When we first began we wanted to promote saving for college and academic endeavors throughout the state, so we came up with this contest,” said KESPT Program Administrator David Lawhorn. “We partnered with our program manager TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing and developed this “Dream Out Loud Challenge” launching it each year on Martin Luther King Day, honoring Martin Luther King Jr.,who certainly has a pretty famous speech “I Have a Dream.”

Sending out packets to every public and private school in the state, Lawhorn said they also partner with home-school organizations.

“Once the contest is launched on Jan. 21, our website will be available for any home-schooled or student who meets the age requirement of K-6 grades,” said Lawhorn. “In the packets we distribute to the schools, we ask that teachers make this information available to the students.”

Students participating will submit an original drawing, poem, essay or video answering the question: “How will I change the world after I go to college?” Six winning entries will be selected by a panel of judges. One winner will be chosen from each of two submission categories — drawing or video and essay or poem in grades K-2, 3-4 and 5-6. The winning students will receive a $1,500 KESPT college saving account. The contest will run through March 22. Entries must be postmarked by March 22 and received by March 27.

“The challenge encourages children in Kentucky to dream about their future and to talk about college at a young age, which benefits the entire state,” said Lawhorn. “It’s never too early to start saving and planning for a higher education.”

For more information, including official rules and a complete description of entry requirements, you may visit www.kysaves.com.

For more information about Kentucky scholarships and grants, you may visit www.kheaa.com or write KHEAA, P.O. Box 798, Frankfort, Ky. 40602 or call 1-800-928-8926, ext. 6-7372.

Reach Nola Sizemore at 606-573-4510 or at nsizemore@civitasmedia.com