RELEASE: May 9, 2002

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TRENTON - The New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect and the state Assembly today honored 15 elementary school students from across the state for posters that were chosen to be published in the task force's 2003 calendar.

The task force and New Jersey PTA have sponsored the art contest each year since 1987. The students' winning posters are then placed on a calendar that also features parenting tips and resource lists. The calendars are distributed to doctors’ offices, clinics, hospitals and schools.

Each year, the calendar features an artwork theme. This year, the students were asked to complete the sentence "brightens my day" and feature the sentence in their artwork. Each student whose artwork was chosen received a $50 U.S. Savings Bond and certificate.

Awards were presented in the state Assembly chamber by Assembly Speaker Albio Sires and Task Force Co-Chair Martin A. Finkel, D.O., Medical Director of the Center For Children's Support at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

Below is a list of honorees:

2003 Calendar Art Contest Winners

Kindergarten - Grade 3

• Mariela Acharon, Grade 3- St. Augustine of Canterbury School, Franklin Park, Middlesex County
• Rusinel Amarante, Grade 3- Victor Mravlag School #21, Elizabeth, Union County
• Amy Galdi-Collins, Grade 3- Cold Springs School, Gloucester City, Camden County
• Stephanie Gerhard, Grade 3- Field Street School, Carneys Point, Salem County
• Addison Kein, Grade 2- Roosevelt School, Kearny, Hudson County
• Gregory Manning, Grade 2- Langtree Elementary School, Hamilton Square, Mercer County
• Elizabeth L. Tablazon, Grade 3- Victor Mravlag School #21, Elizabeth, Union County

Grade 4 - 6

• Caitlin Dedeyn, Grade 6- Martin J. Ryerson School, Ringwood, Passaic County
• Lydia Guadagnoli, Grade 4- Ridgewood Avenue Upper Elementary School, Glen Ridge, Essex County
• Nichole Alexis Letizia, Grade 5- Walnut Street School, Toms River, Ocean County
• Gianna Palma, Grade 5- Washington School, Nutley, Essex County
• Jennifer Placendo, Grade 4- Sacred Heart Regional Grammar School, Vineland, Cumberland County
• Nadi Saleh, Grade 6- Christa PS#28, Jersey City, Hudson County
• Kayla Santos, Grade 6- St. John Vianney School, Colonia, Middlesex County
• Ermina Stramandinoli, Grade 5- Midtown Community School, Bayonne, Hudson County