Glen Dale Elementary Student Named Finalist In Statewide Essay Contest
Glen Dale Elementary School fifth grader Gabby Dantrassy is being recognized for her ability to "dream big" as a regional winner in the statewide 2025 SMART529 "When I Grow Up" student essay contest.
The annual essay contest sponsored by the State Treasurer's Office has students across the state envision their future career in an essay that is 200 words or fewer. Entries were judged on originality, creativity and the importance of post-secondary education.
Regional Treasury Representative Tim Hooper said a SMART529 committee reviews the essays submitted to choose the regional winners. He said they consider the thoughtfulness, vision of the student's dream and uniqueness of the essay.
"The student's ability to envision their future at such a young age is the most important piece of the criteria they consider in essays," Hooper said.
Dantrassy, representing Region 5, is one of 15 winners among five regions in three age groups. Her essay about her desire to become a virtual reality video game designer stood out among hundreds of entries in the Wheeling area, earning her top honors.
In her essay, Dantrassy detailed the steps she would take to become a VR game designer, including learning how to code and understanding basic game physics. She also asked essay readers to envision what it would be like to walk through Paris while still in their living room with a VR headset, and explained her desire to create that experience.
"I just want to make simulator games that are fun to play, whether you are learning to work a job you've never had or just running around in a new setting," Dantrassy said. "I think those games are the most fun to play, and I think it would be a really fun job for me to have."
For her efforts, Dantrassy earned a $500 investment into a SMART529 college savings account to support her future education. Her school also benefited from her winning essay, with Glen Dale Elementary receiving a $500 cash award to support classroom resources.
"I am very happy to be a finalist because I'm excited to have that money for college," Dantrassy said. "I'm also happy my school received money, too. I thought it could maybe be used for our gifted classroom."
Dantrassy will head to the state Culture Center in Charleston in September to be entered into the drawing for the contest's grand prize of $5,000 toward a SMART529 account. Her name will be entered into the drawing, among other regional winners, to receive the prize.