Armstrong Student Wins Art Contest

Submitted by Mefa:

Clarene Martin, a third-grader at the Armstrong Elementary school, placed second in a statewide art competition that promotes the importance of saving for college.  

MEFA, the nonprofit college financing organization that offers the U.Fund College Investing Plan, annually holds the College Savings Art Competition, which invites third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students at all public, private, charter, and home-based schools to submit artwork on the theme “What do I want to be when I graduate from college?”

Martin placed second in the third-grade competition with a depiction of a wildlife photographer. To help pay future college expenses, Martin received $2,000 in a U.Fund College Investing Plan account, Massachusetts’ 529 college savings plan offered by MEFA and managed by Fidelity Investments.

“Every year, we are excited to see so many children across the commonwealth participate in the Art Competition and share the dreams they have for the future,” said Thomas Graf, executive director of MEFA, which is celebrating 30 years of service to Massachusetts families and students. “The annual competition provides an opportunity to encourage those dreams, and talk with parents about how a college degree can help their children reach these goals. Starting to save for that college education early and regularly through a tax-advantaged vehicle like the U.Fund is an important step toward investing in their future.”

The student’s artwork was judged by representatives from MEFA, and the top three finishers in grades three, four and five were awarded a prize during a State House ceremony in late June. Second and third place finishers received $2,000 and $1,000 respectively, which was deposited in the student’s name in a U.Fund College Investing Plan account.