For Immediate Release:
April 11, 2014
Sixth-grade student artwork lauded
Brings awareness to fair and affordable housing
WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Twenty-five sixth graders were honored for their award-winning artwork in the 25th annual Fair Housing Poster Contest, sponsored by Monmouth County’s Fair Housing Board and the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
“Using art to express the importance of fair and affordable housing in Monmouth County is a great educational tool,” said Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry, who was joined by other members of the Freeholder Board at the awards presentation. “This annual school-based project helps promote nondiscrimination and assists us as we work to ensure fair and equal housing opportunities for all.”
Grand-prize winner Christian DeChiaro from the St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, West Long Branch and the 24 other winners received awards from Freeholders and HUD Newark Supervisor Brenda Edmundson.
The 25 student winners were selected from more than 400 entries. The artwork was judged by the County’s community development staff and representatives from HUD, which narrowed the field to 60. The County’s Fair Housing Board selected the 25 winners.
“A top priority of the Freeholders is to support fair housing in all of our 53 municipalities,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Gary J. Rich, Sr. “I commend all of the children who participated for demonstrating this awareness through their outstanding artwork.”
All of the winning artwork will be featured in the County’s 2015 Fair Housing calendar.
“The calendar is a great way to showcase these artist creations,” said Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone. “The grand-prize artwork will be featured on the cover; each first-place winners’ artwork will be paired with a different month and the honorable mention winners will be featured as well.”
“This annual art project is a great reminder to all of us about the importance of fair housing,” said Freeholder John P. Curley. “The artwork shows that these students have a firm grasp on what fair housing really means.”
The awards were distributed on Sunday, April 6 at a luncheon held at Branches. The grand prize winner received a check for $400, first prize winners received a check for $200 and the honorable mention winners received a check for $100.
The County’s Fair Housing Office is a section of the Monmouth County Division of Planning that works to educate residents about diversity and eradicate discrimination in housing.
For fair housing information or assistance, contact the Monmouth County Fair Housing Office at 732-431-7490 or by email at
fairhousing@co.monmouth.nj.us.
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2014 Monmouth County Fair Housing Art Contest Winners
Grand Prize Winner:
Christian DeChiaro St. Rose of Lima Catholic School
First-Prize Winners:
Abigail Carson St. Catharine Catholic School
Catherine Dawod St. Rose of Lima Catholic School
Wriel Egito Long Branch Middle School
Amanda Gee Marlboro Memorial Middle School
Gabrielle Kim H.W. Mountz Elementary School
Caroline Kraus H.W. Mountz Elementary School
Amanda Kurtz St. Rose of Lima Catholic School
Isabella Mastrocola St. Catharine Catholic School
Reagan Pauwels St. Catharine Catholic School
Grace Puharic St. Catharine Catholic School
Troy Rudolph St. Catharine Catholic School
Julia Sayco St. Jerome Catholic School
Honorable Mention Winners:
Madison Boesch H.W. Mountz Elementary School
Sarah Caldwell Belmar Elementary School
Hailey Connelly St. Rose of Lima Catholic School
Patrick Ferraro St. Jerome Catholic School
Sol Garcia Belmar Elementary School
Sophia Hegel St. Catharine Catholic School
Caitlin Holtz St. Jerome Catholic School
Emma Krebs St. Catharine Catholic School
Emily Madeira St. Veronica Catholic School
Marie Mohen H.W. Mountz Elementary School
Erin O’Dea H.W. Mountz Elementary School
Alyssa G. Panohaya Long Branch Middle School
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