Two new Nebraska NEST Birthday Babies were introduced today by Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg in recognition of the state’s Sesquicentennial. Each will receive a $529 contribution to a Nebraska Educational Savings Trust (NEST) college savings account.
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“With these two NEST Birthday Babies, the number of Nebraska babies recognized in 2017 now totals nine. We look forward to recognizing the last three Birthday Babies and to celebrating all twelve Birthday Babies honored this year for Nebraska’s 150th birthday,” said Treasurer Stenberg, Trustee of NEST.
“We thank the Sesquicentennial Commission for recognizing this year-long initiative as a Legacy program because of its lasting impact on young Nebraska families. We are proud to be able to help these families start saving for college and to begin building sound financial futures for their children. We enjoy meeting the families, hearing about their hopes and dreams for their children, and introducing them to our NEST College Savings Plan. We hope in the process we have helped acquaint many more Nebraskans with their state’s excellent 529 college savings program,” Stenberg said.
Parents and legal guardians of Nebraska babies born in 2017 may enter the Birthday Babies drawing at www.NEST529.com/NewbornDrawing until January 10, 2018. To allow time for babies born in late December to be entered, the final drawing will take place in early 2018. If a family’s name isn’t drawn in the month the family enters, the name stays in the drawing throughout the year, giving families plenty of opportunities to be chosen.
Alexis and Travis Sprout, who are expecting their second child in May 2018, said they were excited and grateful to learn that Amelia was chosen as a NEST Birthday Baby. “We hope she goes to school for something she really enjoys and finds a career in her field,” said Alexis, who has a bachelor’s degree in animal science from South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D.
“You hope the best for your child. We wish the best for her,” said Travis, who is still paying off student loans after graduating from SDSU with a degree in agriculture technology. Travis farms and raises cattle near Bartlett, and Alexis works from home, selling feed for Big Red Feeds in Burwell.
Brandon Kopisch and Keisha Carruth said they were honored their son was chosen as a Birthday Baby. Brandon, soon to be promoted to Sergeant in the Army Reserve, said he hopes Beckham chooses to go to college, but most of all he wants his son to do what he wants to do, “to grow up, be successful, and be happy and to not have to struggle.” Starting to save early is a wise choice for young families, Brandon said.
Brandon joined the Reserves soon after graduating from high school where he participated in the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. Keisha works for the Central Nebraska Humane Society in Grand Island.
Throughout 2017, the Nebraska Educational Savings Trust has been selecting a parent or legal guardian of a Nebraska newborn each month to receive a $529 contribution to a NEST account in celebration of Nebraska’s 150th birthday. The family is chosen through a random drawing of entries submitted online to the NEST website or by mail. Other NEST Birthday Babies honored by the Treasurer’s Office, to date, follow:
Rules for the Nebraska NEST Birthday Babies can be found at www.NEST529.com/NewbornDrawing and here. Information about the Nebraska Sesquicentennial can be found at ne150.org.
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.
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.
