'NEST on the Farm' Writing Contest 2012
NEST Direct College Savings Plan Announces 'NEST on the Farm'
Scholarship Contest Winners
More than $13,000 Awarded to Nebraska Farm Families
2012 Nebraska Educational Savings Trust 'NEST on the Farm' essay contest winners
NEST on the Farm essay Contest winners for 2012 with State Treasurer Don Stenberg at Husker Harvest Days outside Grand Island. From left, Emma Good, Johnstown; Jace Stagemeyer, Page; Tucker Stagemeyer, Page; Morayah Cupp, Champion; Katie Zarybnicky, Odell, standing beside Treasurer Stenberg; and Megan Green, Arlington.

First National Bank of Omaha and Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg announced today the winners of the second annual “NEST on the Farm” scholarship contest. Three first-place winners each received a $3,500 contribution to a NEST Direct College Savings Plan while three runners-up each received a $1,000 contribution to a NEST Direct College Savings Plan. State Treasurer Don Stenberg will present the winners and runners-up with their scholarships September 12 at Husker Harvest Days in Grand Island, Neb.

The scholarship contest was announced in early June and ran through August 6, 2012. Children of Nebraska farming families were invited to submit essays describing what farming means in their lives and how growing up in farm families influences their higher education goals. All entries were divided into three age groups: 7-9 years of age; 10-11 years of age; and 12-13 years of age. The scholarship winner and the runner-up for each age group are listed below:

Age Group
Place
Child's Name
City
Age
7-9 Years
Winner
Morayah Cupp
Champion
9
Runner-Up
Tucker Stagemeyer
Page
7
10-11 Years
Winner
Megan Green
Arlington
10
Runner-Up
Jace Stagemeyer
Page
11
12-13 Years
Winner
Katie Zarybnicky
Odell
13
Runner-Up
Emma Good
Johnstown
13

“We congratulate our scholarship winners on their outstanding essays. First National Bank is a long-time supporter of the agricultural community in Nebraska, and we are thrilled to provide these students with an opportunity to get a jump start on saving for college,” said Deborah Goodkin, Managing Director, First National Bank of Omaha.

“Thank you to all the young people who participated in our NEST on the Farm scholarship contest and who wrote so persuasively about their connection to Nebraska farm life and their educational goals for the future,” State Treasurer Don Stenberg said. “These young people represent the best Nebraska has to offer—our young people who work hard, strive to do well in school and their activities, and who value their families and their agricultural roots.”

About First National Bank of Omaha

First National Bank of Omaha is a subsidiary of First National of Nebraska. First National of Nebraska and its affiliates have more than $23 billion in assets and 5,000 employee associates. Primary banking offices are located in Nebraska, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota and Texas.

About NEST

NEST 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 285,000 accounts, including over 94,000 in Nebraska. Visit NEST529.com and treasurer.nebraska.gov for more information.

Investments Are Not FDIC Insured* · No Bank, State or Federal Guarantee · May Lose Value
*Except the Bank Savings Static Investment Option Underlying Investment
  • Jana Langemach
  • Director of Communications
  • 402-471-8884