For Immediate Release:
March 19, 2014
Freehold Township wins County Consumer Bowl
High School students comes out on top 6th consecutive year
HOWELL, NJ – Freehold Township High School came up winners of the 17th annual Monmouth County Consumer Bowl, a game-show-style competition for teams of high school students.
Students from nine high schools answered consumer-related questions in a multiple choice and open-ended format to test their knowledge of consumer issues, such as Internet fraud and buying and leasing automobiles. The contest was held today at the Monmouth County Fire Academy.
The six-member team from Freehold Township High School successfully defended its 2013 Monmouth County Consumer Bowl title against students from Colts Neck, Freehold Borough, Howell, Keansburg, Manalapan, Marlboro, Middletown North and St. John Vianney.
“It’s important that teens understand consumer and business concepts, like credit and identity theft, banking and fraud, marketing and advertising,” said Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the County’s Division of Consumer Affairs. “Consumer Bowl participants are a step ahead of their peers with their knowledge of consumer issues and are well-prepared to tackle issues in the marketplace.”
The three finalists, Freehold Township High School, Howell Township High School and Manalapan Township High School, were all strong competitors, but Freehold Township was quicker on the draw and answered most of the questions correctly. Team members are Samantha Fitzgerald, Samantha Sanchez, Joanne D'Avella, Bethany Mo, Michael Milo and Anna Landre. Their adviser is Dan Cooper.
The Freehold Township team will move on to the regional competition in April with home field advantage because the competition will be held at the Monmouth County Fire Academy. The winner of the regional competition will go on to compete in the 2014 New Jersey State Consumer Bowl scheduled for May in Trenton.
The New Jersey High School Consumer Bowl is a program of the state Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Consumer Affairs. It was established in 1997 to help students learn about consumer issues that will benefit them throughout their lives.
“The best part about this program is that all of our participating young adults gained some knowledge about what it takes to help them be smarter consumers and possibly future consumer advocates,” said Freeholder Serena DiMaso. “It is also a great way to promote the County’s Consumer Affairs office, which enforces consumer laws and helps people who suspect they might be victims of unscrupulous business practices.”
Since the County’s Division of Consumer Affairs was established in 1977, the department has handled more than 50,000 complaints and resolved disputes, resulting in savings to consumers of more than $15 million.
In 2013, the Division recovered $2,473,546 for consumers. Mediation includes letters, telephone calls, e-mails, faxes and informal conferences with businesses. If a business is uncooperative and does not appear as scheduled, the Division has the authority to issue a subpoena, a function coordinated with the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office.
Consumer Affairs is a law enforcement agency, created and funded by the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders. It protects against consumer fraud and dishonest and dishonest business practices by enforcing the state Consumer Fraud Act and many other regulations.
Additional information about fraud and other consumer affairs programs can be found on the County website at www.visitmonmouth.com or by calling 732-431-7900. The office is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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