Omaha Storm Chasers, Treasurer Launch 24th Nest529 Essay Contest for 7th-8th Graders

Nebraska State Treasurer Joey Spellerberg and the Omaha Storm Chasers launched the 24th annual Nest529 "Why I Want to Go to College" writing sweepstakes, inviting seventh and eighth graders to submit 750-word essays on the value of education. The contest offers students a chance to win education savings and public recognition at Werner Park, tying youth outreach to one of Omaha's biggest local entertainment stages.

Entries must be postmarked or sent by March 16, 2026, to Alexis Smith, Omaha Storm Chasers, 12356 Ballpark Way, Papillion, NE 68046. Winners will be notified in April, with Nebraska winners receiving four tickets each to the May 3, 2026 Storm Chasers game and recognition during a brief ceremony before the first pitch. The release specifies three winners will be chosen from each of Nebraska's three Congressional districts, plus three winners from outside Nebraska, for a total of 12 winners. Syndicated outlets list monetary awards of $2,000 for first place, $1,000 for second, and $500 for third deposited into NEST accounts, though the sources do not explicitly map how those prize tiers apply across the 12 winners.

"This contest gives students a chance to reflect on their educational goals - their life goals - and how to achieve them," Spellerberg said. "It also gives my office a chance to tell more Nebraskans about our NEST 529 plans, which have a 25-year history of strong performance. It's why my wife and I own four NEST accounts for our children."

The Storm Chasers’ involvement positions Werner Park as more than a ballpark; it becomes a community forum where youth aspiration and the business of minor league baseball intersect. The Triple-A club, the Kansas City Royals affiliate, is shaping its 2026 identity with Patrick Osborn named manager for his first season leading the Triple-A roster and becoming the 20th manager in franchise history. Front office moves announced earlier this month and awards such as Carter Jensen being named the 2025 Steve Pivovar Prospect of the Year show the franchise balancing on-field development with organizational continuity.

On-field highlights from recent seasons add texture to the promotion. Melendez hit for the cycle in an 11-3 win over Charlotte, and Cole Ragans made a Major League rehab start for Omaha, logging 3.2 scoreless innings. Alex Seder received a Diamond Baseball Holdings Triple Play Award. Those moments underscore why a baseball venue is an effective backdrop for educational outreach: it connects young fans to role models and a pathway where sport and schooling coexist.

Business data suggest the timing is strategic. Attendance at Werner Park has fluctuated since 2022, with recorded totals of 294,511 in 2022, 304,129 in 2023, 285,679 in 2024, and 275,260 in 2025. Community-facing programs that bring families to games can help stabilize and grow crowds while promoting long-term investment in education through NEST 529.

For students and families, the next steps are simple: draft a 750-word essay, meet the March 16 deadline, and consider the double payoff of potential education savings and a moment on the Werner Park field on May 3. Winners will be announced in April, and the recognition at the Storm Chasers game will fold young voices about college into the rhythm of a Triple-A season.