Ellington Student a 2012 CHET Dream Big! Competition Winner

first grader Aman Kumar was recognized as one of the 96 winners of the 2012 Connecticut Higher Education Trust Dream Big! Competition, a drawing and essay contest for Connecticut students in grades kindergarten through five.

The CHET Dream Big! Competition ran from Jan. 30 through March 30 and generated more than 5,400 drawings and creative essays from 112 of Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

This was a 150 percent increase over the number of entries received last year, and more than triple the number from when the annual competition started four years ago.

The competition challenged students to imagine what they could accomplish with a college education. Winners received a $300 CHET account, which was awarded to the parent or legal guardian of student winners.

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The winning entries of this year’s 96 winners are currently on display at http://www.chetdreambig.com.

The winners were recognized at an official awards ceremony held on May 10 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.   

About CHET

The CHET 529 direct-sold college savings plan, a tax-advantaged investment program, was established in 1997 and, as of April2012, has grown to more than $1.7 billion in assets and more than 108,000 individual accounts. Connecticut State Treasurer Denise L. Nappier serves as Trustee of CHET and administers the plan. The plan manager is TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing Inc. For more information about CHET, visit www.aboutchet.com or call the customer service center at 866-314-3939.