Communications

TNStars Awards $10,000 in Scholarships to Tennessee Kids

TNStars holiday scholarship giveaway

TNStars Awards $10,000 in Scholarships to Tennessee Kids

by Shelli King, Director of Communications

Nashville, TN – Ten kids from across the state of Tennessee have been awarded $1,000 scholarships by the TNStars® College Savings 529 Program. TNStars, a program of the Tennessee Department of Treasury, hosted the TNStars Holiday Scholarship Giveaway in December. Tennessee adults could enter the contest on behalf of a child 15 or younger.

The scholarships are awarded into a TNStars account and can be used to cover future post-secondary education expenses ranging from tuition and housing to books, computers, and more. Winners of the TNStars Holiday Scholarship Giveaway were chosen at random among over 5,500 entries after the contest closed on December 28th. The beneficiaries range in age from 1 to 13 years old.

"The Tennessee Department of Treasury created TNStars to give Tennessee families a way to plan and save for college. I encourage the winners’ families to keep building on what these scholarships have started. The money contributed to a TNStars account will grow as your child grows."

- Treasurer David H. Lillard, Jr.

TNStars is designed to give Tennessee families high quality investment options at a low cost to help them put aside money for higher education expenses. Families can invest directly with the program and money can be withdrawn tax-free from a TNStars® account as long as it is used for qualified post-secondary education expenses.

The full list of winners, along with photos and profiles of each, can be found below. For more information about the TNStars College Savings 529 Program, visit TNStars.com.

TNStars Holiday Scholarship Giveaway winners:

  • Harper Royalty, age 1, Williamson Co.
  • Anna Stites, age 2, Putnam Co.
  • Arthur Janecek, age 3, Shelby Co.
  • Mason Lawson, age 5, Campbell Co.
  • Zoe Shadrick, age 5, Hamilton Co.
  • Emmalyn White, age 8, Montgomery Co.
  • Lola Matheny, age 11, Hamilton Co.
  • Pasley Thompson, age 11, Shelby Co.
  • Landon Cole, age 12, Madison Co.
  • Loren Chumney, age 13, Davidson Co.

TNStars Scholarship Winners

(Listed by age)

Invest in Yourself message on brick background with upward trend chart and social financial icons

Harper Royalty

Age 1
Williamson County

Harper enjoys whipping up meals in her toy kitchen, reading books and playing with her two dogs. When she grows up, she aspires to take care of children in some form or fashion, as she already loves to take care of her babydoll. Maybe she will be a pediatrician or a teacher.

Anna Stites

Anna Stites

Age 2
Putnam County

Anna is two years old and lives in Putnam County. Her grandfather, Jack, entered our contest and won this TNStars Scholarship on her behalf. Anna is a bright, energetic little girl and TNStars looks forward to serving her college savings needs.

Arthur Janecek

Arthur Janecek

Age 3
Shelby County

Arthur loves and hates trains simultaneously. He loves volcanoes, also from a distance. He loves to play with toy cars, watch animal shows, and goof off with his family. Arthur doesn’t attend school yet, but when he grows up he currently wants to fly airplanes. The scholarship was won by his dad Christopher.

Mason Lawson

Mason Lawson

Age 5
Campbell County, Valley View Elementary School

Mason is five years old and attends kindergarten at Valley View Elementary School. Mason plays basketball and baseball, but enjoys most being outside. Mason has a big heart for the world and wants to be a helper when he grows up. He plans to do this by flying a medical helicopter.

Zoe Shadrick

Zoe Shadrick

Age 5
Hamilton County, Middle Valley Academy

Zoe is a very girly girl who loves anything pink. She loves horses, unicorns, LOL dolls, and Shopkins. She loves to travel and we just got back from a Disney trip. She is at the point now, where at the age of five, she plans our trip itineraries. Every night she asks where we will be going when she wakes up, and is always eager for more adventure. Zoe is in a Pre-K Program right now at Middle Valley Academy and says her future career plans include, doctor or maybe ballerina.

Emmalyn White

Emmalyn White

Age 8
Montgomery County, Oakland Elementary

Emmalyn lives with her parents and little sister in Clarksville. She attends Oakland Elementary School where she is in 2nd grade. Emmalyn’s favorite school subjects are art, music, math, and science. When she grows up, she’d like to be an artist, a scientist, and a mom! At home, Emmalyn enjoys playing the piano, painting, and drawing. Emmalyn especially loves participating in activities and serving the community alongside her Girl Scout Troop, Middle TN GSA Troop #2060.

Lola Matheny

Lola Matheny

Age 11
Hamilton County

Lola will be 12 years old in February. She is a beautiful, caring, loving, smart (she has had straight A’s for over two years now)athletic young lady. Lola gives 110% in everything she does. She is competitive and always has a great attitude. Lola plays in the school band, loves softball, basketball, and soccer. She loves helping others and is a leader in school as well as on the team sports that she plays. Lola has received many character awards at school, has won the Respect, Honesty, Responsibly, Caring, Self-Discipline and the Kindness award. Lola is a fun loving, crazy, ball of fire!

Pasley Thompson

Pasley Thompson

Age 11
Shelby County, Maxine Smith STEAM Academy

Pasley is a 6th Grade honor student at Maxine Smith STEAM Academy. She enjoys many different activities including DIY projects, photography, dancing, and technology. She has been a part of First Lego League, VEX IQ Robotics Team, Drumline/Choir, and Girls Experiencing Engineering. Pasley aspires to have a career in the STEM field. Her motto in life is “Happiness is good medicine, but sorrow is a good disease” (Proverbs 12:22).

Landon Cole

Landon Cole

Age 12
Madison County, West Bemis Middle School

Landon is 12 years old and attends West Bemis Middle School in Jackson, Tennessee. (Jackson Madison County School System). His hobbies are spending time with family and friends and playing basketball. He wants to be a game developer when he grows up.

Lauren Chumney

Lauren Chumney

Age 13
Davidson County

Loren enjoys reading, spending time with her friends, and listening to music especially KPOP. Loren would like a careerin Music Production or Engineering.