2024 National Junior Honor Society Award Recipients announced!
The Education Plan® is proud to congratulate Jaedyn Lynch from Carlsbad, New Mexico, Sarah Montgomery from Socorro, New Mexico and Tevya LaDuca from Roswell, New Mexico – each one an inspiring, well-rounded middle school student who won the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) Outstanding Achievement Award this year.
2024 marks the ninth year that 500 NJHS students from across the country were selected to receive $500 awards in the form of a 529 education savings account with The Education Plan. To date, $2.25 million has been awarded to 4,500 middle school students nationwide. The award recognizes middle school students who have demonstrated their commitment to the five pillars of the NJHS: scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship.
Read on for more about the New Mexico students who received this prestigious award and their commitment to service and leadership at a young age.
Jaedyn Lynch, Carlsbad, NM
A math lover considering a career in software programming, Jaedyn is heavily involved in athletics, participating in football, track, and basketball. The Carlsbad Intermediate School Alta Vista Campus student also volunteers for important causes, including environmental issues like cleaning the Pecos River. “I know thousands of people would pray to be in my position, so I’m going to do my best to make the most of it,” Jaedyn says.
Sarah Montgomery, Socorro, NM
Sarah balances a passion for literature, athletics (volleyball, track), and volunteering at her church, where she sings and plays guitar in the youth choir. Inspired by the teachers who have guided her education and her volunteer work hosting “Fun Friday” events for elementary school students, the Pecos Cyber Academy student plans to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education. “I enjoy working with young children and helping them to grow,” Sarah says, adding that this award means that “I will be able to focus more on starting my future than having to worry about paying back substantial loans.”
Tevya LaDuca, Roswell, NM
“I take ballet, lyrical, and jazz dance classes and will be a part of my high school dance team next year,” says the highly artistic student who also loves math because “there is no ambiguity.” Tevya also volunteers at her church, participating in outreach initiatives and mission trips. She enjoys being active in NJHS because she is “a part of like-minded students who want to better our community.” The Sidney Gutierrez Middle School student’s long-term plans include possible dermatology or speech therapy careers. Upon receiving this $500 award in middle school, Tevya says it has “encouraged me to save more.”
About the National Junior Honor Society
The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) elevates a school’s commitment to scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. It helps middle-level students develop the knowledge and skills to become well-rounded student leaders in their school, community, and beyond.
NJHS chapters operate in all 50 states and schools worldwide, engaging and serving more than one million students. Each year, the average NJHS chapter contributes:
- 650 hours of school/community service
- $1,000 in charitable donations
- 500 pounds of food to local, state, and national causes
- 375 pints of blood
Reflecting school leaders’ profound commitment to student leadership development, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) founded NJHS in 1928 to create enthusiasm for scholarship, stimulating a desire to render service, promote leadership, encourage responsible citizenship, and develop character in secondary school students. In addition to NJHS, NASSP founded and manages the National Honor Society (est. in 1921), National Association of Student Councils (est. in 1931), and National Elementary Honor Society (est. in 2008).
Independent studies have shown that when a child or young teen has as little as $500 saved for college, they are three times as likely to go to college and four times as likely to graduate.
For more details on the NJHS Outstanding Achievement Award, go to www.njhs.us/OAA.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged investment account that is designed to grow savings for future education expenses for a specified beneficiary. 529 plans offer unique benefits and features that make them an appealing strategy for education related saving.
A 529 plan can be used for “qualified educational expenses.” For federal tax purposes, qualified educational expenses include:
- Tuition and fees at accredited higher education institutions
- Books
- Supplies and equipment
- Room and board for beneficiaries attending on at least a half-time basis.
- Computer technology, equipment, and internet access
- Up to $10,000 a year for K-12 tuition and expenses (Limit increase to $20,000 in 2026)
- Expenses for educational special needs services
- Transfers to an ABLE account for the beneficiary (transfer subject to annual limit)
- Apprenticeship expenses
- Up to $10,000 for student loan repayment
- Credentialing expenses and certification programs
- Roth IRA rollover for the beneficiary
If you're not sure if an expense is considered "qualified," we recommend consulting with a tax professional or advisor. Unqualified expenses will be treated like ordinary income: state and federal taxes will apply, with a 10% federal penalty for withdrawals from your 529 plan used to pay for them.
New Mexico residents can deduct contributions to The Education Plan from their state taxable income each year. This includes contributions made to an account that you are not the account owner of.
You cannot deduct contributions from federal income taxes.
Any person at least 18 years old with a valid Social Security Number (SSN) or Tax Identification Number (TIN) can open a 529 account. The account holder chooses the investment options, designates a beneficiary, and requests the distribution of funds.
The cost of college continues to rise, including tuition, housing, food and supplies, so it’s important to begin saving as soon as possible. You can learn more about how much a typical college education costs on our Cost of College page. It’s never too early or too late to start.
The Education Plan offers a variety of investment options to fit you and your family’s needs, risk tolerance and goals. You can see all of the available investment portfolios on the investments page.
Yes, you can use up to $20,000* a year to cover tuition and expenses for K-12 education.
Qualified K-12 expenses include:
- Tuition (public, private, and religious)
- Curriculum materials, books (including digital/online) and instructional materials
- Tutoring and instructional classes**
- Fees for a nationally standardized norm-referenced achievement test, an advanced placement examination, or any examinations related to college or university admission
- Dual enrollment program fees
Educational therapies for students with disabilities provided by a licensed or accredited practitioner or provider, including occupational, behavioral, physical, and speech-language therapies
*Starting in tax year 2026. The annual limit is $10,000 in tax year 2025 and permitted for tuition only.
**Tuition for tutoring or educational classes outside of the home, including at a tutoring facility, but only if the tutor or instructor is not related to the student and—
(i) is licensed as a teacher in any State,
(ii) has taught at an eligible educational institution,
or (iii) is a subject matter expert in the relevant subject.
You can open an account with The Education Plan online or by mailing in the enrollment form. In order to open an account, you will need the following information:
- Your social security number or TIN
- Your address
- Your bank account information (in order to fund the account)
- The beneficiary’s social security number or TIN
- The beneficiary’s birthday
-The beneficiary’s address
