Today, Nebraska Treasurer Tom Briese announced the winners in the 2024 “Why I Want to Go to College” contest, sponsored jointly by the Nebraska State Treasurer’s Office and the Omaha Storm Chasers. The winners will be recognized before the beginning of the April 28th Omaha Storm Chasers game at Werner Park in Papillion.
“I’m looking forward to meeting with these talented students and celebrating their commitment to their education and their future,” said Treasurer Briese, Trustee of NEST. “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate young students than a day at the ballpark.”
Briese also thanked the parents, instructors, and educators who encouraged students to submit essays. “This is such a great celebration of students, their families, and the educators who encourage the participation in activities such as these. Enthusiasm for higher education is contagious. The efforts by educators and parents do not go unnoticed, so a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who encourages a young student to think about the future.”
Winners receive contributions to NEST 529 college savings plans, ranging in value from $2,000 for first place, $1,000 for second place, and $500 for third place.
Three winners were chosen in each of Nebraska’s three U.S. congressional districts. Three winners from outside Nebraska were also chosen.
Students were asked to reflect in their written entries on the value of education and what they hope to achieve through higher education. Winners of the 2024 contest and their hometowns are listed below:
1st Congressional District – Nebraska
| First: | Aiden Jurgensen, | Clarkson |
| Second: | Emily Ballou, | La Vista |
| Third: | Knox Petersen, | Lincoln |
2nd Congressional District – Nebraska
| First: | Javian Erving, | Omaha |
| Second: | Isaac Davidson, | Omaha |
| Third: | Olivia Dabbert, | Omaha |
3rd Congressional District— Nebraska
| First: | Lila Brennemann, | Hyannis |
| Second: | Kylee Osmotherly, | Crawford |
| Third: | Kaylin Kliewer, | Lawrence |
Out of State
| First: | Brielle Feller, | Olathe, KS |
| Second: | Ariabella Dimino, | Waynesboro, PA |
| Third: | Daniel Dragovich, | Lombard, IL |
About the Omaha Storm Chasers
The Omaha Storm Chasers are the Triple-A Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and play at Werner Park in Papillion, Nebraska. Omaha has served as Kansas City’s Triple-A affiliate since 1969, the third-longest active affiliation in Minor League Baseball and the club has sent over 330 players to play for various Major League teams since its inception. For more information, including tickets, promotions, stats, news and more, visit omahastormchasers.com , and follow the team on X @omastormchasers , on Instagram @omastormchasers , and “like” the team on Facebook at facebook.com/omahastormchaser .
About NEST 529
NEST 529 is a tax-advantaged 529 college savings plan and provides four plans to help make saving for college simple and affordable: NEST Direct College Savings Plan, the NEST Advisor College Savings Plan, the Bloomwell 529 Education Savings Plan, and the State Farm 529 Savings Plan. The Nebraska State Treasurer serves as Program Trustee. Union Bank & Trust Company serves as Program Manager, and all investments are approved by the Nebraska Investment Council. Families nationwide are saving for college using Nebraska’s 529 College Savings Plans, which have more than 297,000 accounts, including over 97,000 Nebraskans. Visit NEST529.com and treasurer.nebraska.gov for more information.
About Union Bank & Trust
Founded in 1917 with over 50 years of family ownership, Union Bank & Trust offers complete banking, lending, investment, and trust services. The bank has 38 full-service and loan production offices in Nebraska and Kansas. It is the third-largest privately owned bank in Nebraska, with bank assets of $7.6 billion and trust assets of $43.6 billion as of December 31, 2022. Voters have chosen Union Bank & Trust as Best Bank, Best Customer Service, Best Work Environment, and Best Financial Planner in Lincoln for eleven years running.
