TREASURER ERICK RUSSELL ANNOUNCES 2025 CHET DREAM BIG! COMPETITION WINNERS

03/17/2026

TREASURER ERICK RUSSELL ANNOUNCES 2025 CHET DREAM BIG! COMPETITION WINNERS

High-resolution photo attached: Treasurer Erick Russell with CHET Dream Big! Grand Prize and First Prize winners at a recognition event held at Dunkin' Park on March 14, 2026.

HARTFORD, CT (March17, 2026) State Treasurer Erick Russell, Trustee of the Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET), today announced the winners of the 2025 CHET Dream Big! Competition, recognizing students across the state for their creativity and ambition.

Three students were awarded $20,000 prizes and 24 students were awarded $5,000 prizes. An additional 240 students will be awarded $500 prizes this spring. Nearly 3,200 entries were submitted.

Treasurer Russell also announced that ten schools will receive a $5,000 technology prize to help provide new items like tablets, smartboards and small electronics for classrooms. Each school in Connecticut represented by at least one entry in the Dream Big! Competition was eligible for a random drawing for these prizes.

"This competitionhelps empower Connecticut students to chase their dreams," said Treasurer Russell. "Each year, students from every corner of our state continue to inspire us with their passion, thoughtfulness and originality. With the right support and encouragement, I have no doubt these dreams will grow into extraordinary achievements.

"I also want to congratulate the schools that won technology prizes," he continued. "We are so thankful for your partnership and encouragement of your students. They are the future of Connecticut."

The Competition, which began Aug. 18, 2025, and ended on Nov. 5, 2025, was open to all Connecticut residents in grades K-12. As part of the Competition, students were asked to answer a question about their dreams or thoughts on the future. Answers were provided in the form of short essays, drawings or videos. This year's winners shared dreams of careers in medicine, fitness, engineering, zoology, marine biology, therapy, the military and mental health advocacy.

Grand prize winner in the fifth through eighth grade group, Dylan L. of Wallingford, submitted an essay about being inspired by his mother to fundraise for war victims in Ukraine. His mother is from Ukraine and had been raising money for medical supplies, so he decided to make and sell bracelets at school to help with her efforts. He raised $350 and continues to help with fundraising in other ways today. "I plan to continue to do good for the world, and for Ukraine, in my future," he wrote.

First prize winner in the kindergarten through fourth grade group, Reem E. of Hamden, submitted a drawing and essay about her dream of becoming a nurse. She wants to make a difference in people's lives and help them heal. "It would be exciting to understand how medicines and treatments work," she wrote. "Being a nurse means I can help people every day, and that makes me happy."

First prize winner in the ninth through twelfth grade group, Molly W. of Tolland, submitted an essay about joining the football team at her high school as a female player in a traditionally male sport. The experience helped her build her communication skills and work ethic, and she now holds five state records for female kickers. "Football taught me that resilience and belief in myself can open doors I never thought possible, on or off the field," she wrote.

Since 2013, the Dream Big! Competition has awarded over $5.5 million to Connecticut students to help pay for future education expenses.

For more information about the CHET Dream Big! Competition, go to www.chetdreambig.com .

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About the Office of the Treasurer

The Office of the Treasurer is charged with safeguarding Connecticut's financial resources through prudent cash and debt management, with the State Treasurer serving as principal fiduciary for six state pension and twelve state trust funds. Additionally, the Office enhances the state's fiscal stability through programs promoting financial literacy and college savings, and it leverages business partnerships to support the advancement of Connecticut's social and policy priorities, including combating gun violence and protecting our environment. The Office of the Treasurer is led by State Treasurer Erick Russell, the first Black out LGBTQ person to win an election for statewide office in American history. To learn more, visit: Connecticut Office of the Treasurer Erick Russell.

About CHET

The Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET) direct-sold college savings plan was established in 1997 and has grown to more than $5.7 billion in assets and 183,000 accounts. Over $3.5 billion has been withdrawn from CHET accounts to help more students pay for college expenses. The State of Connecticut offers CHET to help families save for future higher education 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. Connecticut residents are allowed to deduct 529 contributions from their state income taxes - up to $5,000 for an individual or up to $10,000 for a married couple filing jointly. Investment earnings are exempt from state and federal taxes if used for qualified educational expenses.

For more information, visit AboutCHET.com. Find us on Facebook (facebook.com/CHET529), follow us on Twitter (@CHET529) or on Instagram (@CHET529).

About Fidelity Investments

Fidelity's goal is to strengthen the financial well-being of our customers and deliver better outcomes for the clients and businesses we serve. Fidelity's strength comes from the scale of our diversified, market-leading financial services businesses that serve individuals, families, employers, wealth management firms, and institutions. With assets under administration of $18.0 trillion, including managed assets of $7.1 trillion as of December 31, 2025, we focus on meeting the unique needs of a broad and growing customer base. Privately held for 79 years, Fidelity employs more than 80,000 associates across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. For more information about Fidelity Investments, visit https://www.fidelity.com/about-fidelity/our-company .

The Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET) 529 College Savings Plan - Direct Plan is offered by the Treasurer of the state of Connecticut and managed by Fidelity Investments. If you or the designated beneficiary is not a Connecticut resident, you may want to consider, before investing, whether your state or the beneficiary's home state offers its residents a plan with alternate state tax advantages or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds and protection from creditors.

Please carefully consider the plan's investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. For this and other information on any 529 college savings plan managed by Fidelity, contact Fidelity for a free Fact Kit or view one online. Read it carefully before you invest or send money.

Units of the portfolios are municipal securities and may be subject to market volatility and fluctuation.

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Contact: Brett Cody
[email protected] | (959) 529-2468

Dream Big!: Amanda Savio
[email protected] | (860) 543-3865