Greenlee County and Gila County also represented
Staff Reports
PHOENIX – Four young scholars from rural Arizona counties have been named winners in the 2026 AZ529 Future Career Art Contest, a creative statewide competition sponsored by Arizona State Treasurer Kimberly Yee.
The contest invited K-6 students to draw their dream jobs, with winners receiving $529 deposited into their own AZ529 Education Savings Plan account—a tax-advantaged way to save for future college, trade school, or other educational expenses. From 906 entries submitted across the state, 19 students were selected as winners, representing all 15 Arizona counties and a diverse mix of public district, charter, private, tribal, and homeschool students.
The winners were celebrated during a special ceremony at the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix on Thursday, Feb. 26, at 11 a.m. Each honoree received a certificate and a symbolic giant check for $529, presented by Treasurer Yee.
Among the winners are four students from the eastern and central Arizona region:
- From Graham County, Sofia Araya-Medrano, a third grader at Thatcher Elementary School, created artwork envisioning herself as a doctor.
- Also from Graham County, Amiana Baltierrez, a fifth grader at Bonita Elementary School, depicted her future as a fashion designer.
- From Greenlee County, Jennifer Ceballos, a sixth grader at Fairbanks Middle School, illustrated her dream career as a special-effects makeup artist.
- From Gila County, Kloe Ortiz, a second grader at Charles Bejarano Elementary School, drew herself as a nurse.
Treasurer Yee praised the participants for their creativity and forward-thinking visions. The contest highlights the importance of early planning for higher education while encouraging young Arizonans to explore their aspirations through art.
The AZ529 Education Savings Plan, administered by the State Treasurer’s Office, offers Arizona residents state tax deductions on contributions and tax-free growth when funds are used for qualified educational expenses. The annual art contest serves as an engaging way to introduce families to the benefits of starting savings early.
For more information about the AZ529 plan or future contests, visit AZ529.gov. Congratulations to all the winners—their dreams are now a little closer to reality with a head start on their educational futures.
