'NEST on the Farm' Writing Contest 2014
'NEST on the Farm' Scholarship Contest Awards $10,500 to Winners
Children of Nebraska Farm, Ranch Families Win NEST 529 College Savings Scholarships

Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg and First National Bank of Omaha are pleased to announce the winners of the fourth annual “NEST on the Farm” scholarship contest. Three first-place winners have received a $2,500 contribution each to a NEST 529 College Savings Plan while three runners-up have received a $1,000 contribution each to a NEST 529 College Savings Plan.

State Treasurer Stenberg will recognize the winners today at the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island. Stenberg is Trustee of the Nebraska Educational Savings Trust (NEST), Nebraska’s state-sponsored 529 college savings program.

The scholarship contest was announced in May and ran through July 7. Children of Nebraska farm and ranch 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. 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
Name
City
Age
7-9
Winner
Tucker Stagemeyer
Page, Nebraska
9
Runner-up
Kallie Eisenzimmer
Big Springs, Nebraska
7
10-11
Winner
Makenna Eisenzimmer
Big Springs, Nebraska
11
Runner-up
Sheridan Chaney
Elwood, Nebraska
10
12-13
Winner
Jace Stagemeyer
Page, Nebraska
13
Runner-up
Jayla Froman
Lynch, Nebraska
13

“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,” Treasurer 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.”

“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.

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