Human Services honors winning entries in 11th annual art contest celebrating responsibilities of parenthood

TRENTON — Six New Jersey high school and middle school students were honored at the Statehouse May 16 for their winning entries in the Department of Human Services’ Teen Media Contest. The contest, in its 11th year, helps promote parental responsibility in New Jersey's youth.

'In a culture that bombards its young people with so much information, we wanted to create a reason for students to stop for a moment to think about parental responsibility, and then to give them the forum to depict those thoughts in a creative way,' said Jeanette Page-Hawkins, director of the Department’s Division of Family Development, which oversees child support services.

Students created original, hand-drawn artwork to complement the Department’s ongoing advertising and outreach campaign: 'Child Support. It’s more than just money.' The winning artwork best illustrated this year’s theme 'Special Moments: Most memorable moment shared with a parent' in the statewide contest for high school and middle school students.

In the high school category:

• First place, Pamela Johnson, Kittatinny Regional High School, Newton.
• Second place, Diana Karakos, Kittatinny Regional High School, Newton.
• Third place, Emily Hullings, Kittatinny Regional High School, Newton.

In the middle school category:

• First place, Hillary Barlowe, Forrestdale Middle School, Rumson.
• Second place, Stephanie Cherico, Christopher Columbus Middle School, Clifton.
• Third place, Tripti Agrawal, Iselin Middle School, Woodbridge.

Click here to view the winning artwork.

Winners received U.S. Savings Bonds, plaques of achievement and a day pass for two to Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey. All winning artwork will be featured in the Child Support 2007 Calendar, which is sent to schools throughout the state.