County of Monmouth
For Immediate Release:
April 22, 2008          
 
Fair Housing poster winners announced
Drawings help students focus on this important issues
 
FREEHOLD – Twenty-five sixth graders received U.S. savings bonds recently in recognition of their award-winning artwork in the annual Fair Housing Poster Contest, sponsored by Monmouth County’s Fair Housing Board and the Board of Chosen Freeholders.
 
Prizes were awarded April 13 at a luncheon held at Branches in West Long Branch. The 25 winners were selected from more than 600 entries. There was one grand-prize winner, who was awarded a $500 U.S. savings bond; 12 first-prize winners, each of whom was awarded a $200 U.S. savings bond, and 12 others who received honorable mention and a $100 U.S. savings bond.
 
The grand-prize winner was Autumn Albino, of the Sycamore Drive School, Hazlet, whose drawing depicted a house, the Earth and several hands belonging to people of different races. Across the top of the drawing was written, “Everyone Smiles in the Same Color.”
 
“It was a real pleasure seeing the outstanding artwork this talented group of young people produced,” said Freeholder John D’Amico Jr., liaison to the county’s Fair Housing Board. “Making sure housing remains available and affordable in Monmouth County is an ongoing issue that constantly demands our attention, and I’m glad to see our children are aware of it.” 
 
“I am extremely pleased to see such magnificent artwork addressing the issue of fair housing in such a creative way,” said Freeholder Barbara J. McMorrow, who presented awards to the winners. “Using art to express the issue of fair and affordable housing in Monmouth County was innovative and a great educational tool.”
 
The artwork was judged by the county’s community development staff and also representatives from the Newark office of the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, which narrowed the field down to 50. The Fair Housing Board selected the 25 winners.
 
All of the artwork will be featured in a 2009 calendar honoring National Fair Housing Month, which is April of each year. The grand-prize artwork will adorn the cover; each of first-place winners’ artwork will be paired with a different month, and the honorable mentions will be featured on one page over the month of January 2010.
 
* A complete list of the winners is attached.
 
 
Grand Prize Winner: $500 U.S. Savings Bond
 
Contestant           School                       Town
Autumn Albino, Sycamore Drive School, Hazlet
 
 
First-Prize Winners: $200 U.S. Savings Bonds
 
Contestant            School                           Town
Allison Cronin,  St. Jerome Catholic School, Long Branch
Gabriella Crupi , St. Jerome Catholic School, Long Branch
John Paul Fattorusso, St. Rose of Lima School, Freehold
Joseph Fitzgerald, Highlands Elementary School, Highlands
Siani Henriques, Belmar Elementary School, Belmar
John Hurley, St. Jerome Catholic School,  Long Branch
David Jahn, St. Rose of Lima School, Freehold
Nicolas Palermo, Woodmere Elementary School, Eatontown
Allesandra Ricci,  St. Rose of Lima School, Freehold                      
Annamarie Rienzi, St. Veronica Catholic School, Howell
Katherine Robinson, Shrewsbury Borough Elementary, Shrewsbury     
Emily Sgro, Monmouth Beach Elementary, Monmouth Beach
 
 
Honorable Mention Winners: $100 US Savings Bond
 
Contestant      School                         Town
Justin Alicea, St. Veronica Catholic School, Howell
Joseph Annunziata, St. Veronica Catholic School, Howell
Alyson Basso, St. Rose of Lima School, Freehold
Michael Burkard, St. Jerome Catholic School, Long Branch
Alison Gardella, Shrewsbury Borough Elementary, Shrewsbury                 
Andrea Herman, Monmouth Beach Elementary, Monmouth Beach
Stephanie Hoffman, Mother Teresa Regional, Atlantic Highlands
Julian Koch, St. Veronica Catholic School, Howell
Calvin Kulick, St. Rose of Lima School, Freehold
Rebecca Losch, Shrewsbury Borough Elementary, Shrewsbury
Gabriel Pereira, Long Branch Middle School,  Long Branch
Jessica Young, St. Rose of Lima School, Freehold
 
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