Contributed Article/Courtesy Office of the Arizona State Treasurer
PHOENIX – Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee honored 15 Arizona kindergarten through sixth grade students as winners of the fourth-annual AZ529 Future Career Art Contest. The 15 winners represent different schools among district, charter, private schools, Bureau of Indian Education and homeschools, representing all of Arizona’s 15 counties.
AZ529, Arizona’s Education Savings Plan together with the Arizona State Treasurer’s Office invited K-6th graders across Arizona to draw, paint or find a creative way to make an art piece representing their dream job. A total of 15 winners were selected from 457 entries. The entries were reviewed by a panel of judges and scored based on the content, creativity, organization and originality of the artwork.
“Our statewide contests for students continue to help inspire children about their future careers and guide them towards a savings plan for higher education. We have reached every corner of Arizona to send this important message about educational opportunities for all. An AZ529 Education Savings Plan gives them that pathway,” said Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee. “Each of the student winners received $529 towards an AZ529 Education Savings Plan account to help advance their future dreams. These savings provide endless opportunities, including college, vocational school, workforce development, apprenticeship programs and more.”
The winners received $529 towards a new or existing AZ529 Education Savings Plan. The amount $529 was selected to pay homage to Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code, which created the AZ529 plan. The funds may be used for future educational expenses such as tuition for college, trade schools, or workforce development training.
“We received 457 art submissions from across Arizona, with each entry reflecting the ‘dream job’ of these future leaders of our state,” said Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee. “As I have traveled throughout every county in Arizona to share about the AZ529 Education Savings Plan, I have been inspired to see families recognizing the outstanding opportunities they can give their loved ones when they invest in an AZ529 Plan. In just 53 months of overseeing this program, my Administration has added over 53,138 new AZ529 accounts for families.”
The AZ529 Education Savings Plan offers a tax-free approach to setting money aside for college, community college, vocational training, trade school, and other educational avenues for high school graduates. Arizona residents can receive a dollar-for-dollar state tax deduction for contributions made to an AZ529 account each year, of up to $2,000 per beneficiary or $4,000 per beneficiary, depending on filing status. Funds earned over time will remain tax-free when used for a wide variety of covered educational expenses. Additionally, 529 plan beneficiaries can now roll over unused funds into a Roth IRA, up to a $35,000 lifetime limit free of income tax or tax penalties. Friends and family members may also add to a child’s AZ529 Plan at any time and earn the same tax benefits for themselves. For more information about AZ529, visit http://www.az529.gov.
2025 AZ529 Future Career Art Contest Winners:
Kindergarten:
- Madison, Bouse Elementary School, La Paz County
- Cacia, Skyview School, Yavapai County
1st Grade:
- Esteban, Mexicayotl Academy, Santa Cruz County
2nd Grade:
- Shaylee, Jack Daley Primary School, Graham County
- Greyson, James B. Rolle Elementary School, Yuma County
3rd Grade:
- Kaylie, Hunters Point Boarding School, Inc., Apache County
- Julia, Homeschool, Cochise County
- Azula, Rice Intermediate School, Gila County
4th Grade:
- Aeneas, Homeschool, Pima County
- Jillian, Desert Willow Elementary School, Pinal County
5th Grade
- Quinn, Mountain School, Coconino County
- Brantley, Fairbanks Middle School, Greenlee County
- Lukas, Our Lady of Mt Carmel Elementary School, Maricopa County
6th Grade
- Claire, Owens-Whitney Elementary School, Mohave County
- Skarlette, Holbrook Junior High, Navajo County
