July 2026 – The Education Plan®, 529 education savings plan, is proud to congratulate the students awarded the 2026 National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) Outstanding Achievement Award. 

This marks the 11th year that 500 NJHS students from across the country were selected to receive $500 awards in the form of 529 accounts with The Education Plan. Over the last decade, $2.75 million in awards have been awarded to 5,500 middle school students around the country.  

The National Principals Association sponsors the NJHS for middle school students and is the creator of the Outstanding Achievement Award. The award recognizes middle school students who have demonstrated their commitment to the five pillars of the NJHS – scholarship, service, leadership, character and citizenship. 

“We are proud to continue a long-term shared commitment with the National Principals Association to helping students realize their education goals and ease the burden of student loan debt,” said Natalie Cordova, Executive Director of The Education Trust Board of New Mexico, which administers The Education Plan. She added, “Together we celebrate this year’s well-deserved student awardees.” 

“Every year these NJHS Outstanding Achievement Award winners remind me why we do this work—they’re tackling real problems in their schools and neighborhoods with creativity and determination,” said National Principals Association CEO Ronn Nozoe. “These student leaders are proof that powerful leadership comes from character and commitment, not age or title.”  

“Winning the NJHS Outstanding Achievement Award means a lot to me because it shows that the hard work I’ve put into my goals is paying off.”, said Jordin Rascon, a student at La Plata Middle School in Silver City, NM.  “It made me realize that I’m capable of more than I sometimes think and that the effort I put into things and helping others truly matter.  The award motivates me to keep working hard and continue doing things that can have a positive impact on others.” 

As college costs and related expenses can amount to a significant cost, 529 education savings plans offer a comprehensive solution to reduce or avoid the burden of student loans. While education expenses are significant, smart saving can prepare families.  

Students can use their 529 funds to pay for education expenses at universities, colleges, trade schools and professional schools throughout the United States for a variety of qualified expenses including tuition, room and board, books, fees and computer equipment at eligible educational institutions. 

Opening a 529 account with The Education Plan allows families to experience the benefits of tax-advantaged savings. Contributions grow tax-free, and future withdrawals are also tax free as long as they are used to pay for qualified expenses. 

Studies show if a family has as little as $500 saved for college, a child is three times more likely to go to college and four times more likely to graduate.  

For more information about The Education Plan, go to TheEducationPlan.com. 

For more information about the NJHS Outstanding Achievement Award, go to www.njhs.us/OAA.  

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About the National Principals Association 

The National Principals Association is the national professional home for principals and assistant principals across the PreK–12 continuum and the unified voice of the profession. Building on more than a century of leadership as the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the organization advances school leadership through advocacy, professional learning, and peer networks. The association also supports student leadership development through nationally recognized programs, including the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, National Elementary Honor Society, and the National Association of Student Councils, engaging more than 16,000 school leaders, 30,000 advisers, and 1 million students nationwide.