North Haven Third-Grader Wins Big!

A third-grader at the Montowese Elementary School in North Haven has won the CHET Dream Big! competition. 

"CHET" stands for the Connecticut Higher Education Trust which helps families save for future college costs. Funds deposited into a CHET account have tax advantages and can be used at accredited colleges and universities across the country, including vocational and technical schools, and some colleges abroad.  
 
Joseph Fappiano, a student in Ms. Lamonaca's class, was among 93 state-wide winners. 

The contest encourages students in kindergarten through fifth grade to share their dreams about life after college through drawings and essays.  More than seven dozen aspiring surgeons, ballerinas, teachers, paleontologists and, yes, Presidents of the United States are the winners of the fifth annual competition.

All of the winners were recognized at a ceremony held last month at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.

Fappiano was awarded a $300 contribution to a CHET college savings plan.

State Treasurer Denise L. Nappier, who serves as Trustee for CHET, was very pleased with the students’ efforts throughout Connecticut.

“We were impressed with the heartfelt essays and expressive artwork that our talented young entrants produced for this year’s competition. It was challenging to pick winners from among more than 2,200 submissions; all of the students put forth a great effort with their drawings and essays,” said Nappier.

Winning entries are viewable at: http://www.chetdreambig.com.