Department of Human Services

222 South Warren Street
Trenton, NJ 08625
Contact: Suzanne Esterman
(609) 292-3703
RELEASE: May 15, 2007
Previous Screen

Human Services Honors Winning Entries in 12 th Annual Art Contest Celebrating Responsibilities of Parenthood

TRENTON — Six New Jersey high school and middle school students were honored at the Statehouse today for their winning entries in the Department of Human Services' Teen Media Contest. The contest, in its 12 th year, helps promote parental responsibility in New Jersey 's youth.

“There are so many ways that parents support their children – some are emotional, some financial, some are routine, others are life altering.” said DHS's Division of Family Development Director Jeanette Page-Hawkins . “The impressive art work from this year's contest illustrates these many facets of parenting and reminds us that as parents, we are teaching all the time.”

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 “Illustrate an important lesson taught to you by a parent that you want to pass along to your child when you grow up.”

In the high school category:

First place, Rebecca Meskowitz , Kittatinny Regional High School , Newton .
Second place, Oleksandra Baryshev , Matawan Regional High School , Matawan.
Third place, Carl Gabriel III , Union County Vocational Technical High School , Scotch Plains .

In the middle school category:

• First place, Emily Chen , Edgar Middle School , Metuchen.

• Second place, Rose Fernandez , Bayshore Middle School , the Leonardo section of Middletown .

• Third place, Andrew Ward , Conackamack Middle School , Piscataway .

Winners received U.S. Savings Bonds, plaques of achievement and two day passes to Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson , New Jersey . All winning entries will be displayed at the New Jersey Statehouse from May 29 to June 4. The artwork will also be featured in the Child Support 2008 Calendar, which is sent to schools throughout the state.

For more information about this program or the New Jersey Office of Child Support Services, please call 1-877-NJKIDS1 or log onto www.njchildsupport.org .