PIERCE – A Pierce student has been named 3rd Congressional District winner of the 2018 “Why I Want to Go To College” essay contest sponsored by the Nebraska State Treasurer Office and the Omaha Storm Chasers.
Kennedy Warneke took home District 3’s top prize and will be recognized Sunday, May 6, before the start of the Storm Chasers game at Werner Park in Papillion. Winners receive contributions to NEST 529 college savings plans. Third place winners received a $500 contribution, $1,000 for second place and a $2,000 contribution for first place. Three winners were chosen in each of Nebraska’s three U.S. congressional districts as well as three winners from outside Nebraska.
Students in this year’s contest were asked to think about the value of education and what they hope to achieve in their lives through pursuing higher education. The competition was open to 7th and 8th graders and there were 879 submissions. State treasurer Don Stenberg made the final selections.
1st Congressional District – Nebraska
First: Carmen Marley, Lincoln
Second: Adeline Stanley, Blair
Third: Julia Abraham, Lincoln
2nd Congressional District – Nebraska
First: Isaiah Currie, Gretna
Second: Molly McBride, Omaha
Third: Logan Miller, Omaha
3rd Congressional District – Nebraska
First: Kennedy Warneke, Pierce
Second: Juliana Schmitz, Kearney
Third: Shelby March, Wymore
Outside Nebraska
First: Tyler Laureano, Orlando, Florida
Second: Alexander Williford, Bloomington, Illinois
Third: Olivia Foster, Brookings, South Dakota