Students saluted for artwork

FREEHOLD - Twenty-five sixthgraders 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 Monmouth County Board of 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 the 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.

First-prize winners ($200 U.S. Savings Bond) included: John Paul Fattorusso, St. Rose of Lima School, Freehold; David Jahn, St. Rose of Lima School, Freehold; Allesandra Ricci, St. Rose of Lima School, Freehold; and Annamarie Rienzi, St. Veronica Catholic School, Howell.

Honorable mention winners ($100 U.S. Savings Bond) included: Justin Alicea, St. Veronica Catholic School, Howell; Joseph Annunziata, St. Veronica Catholic School, Howell; Alyson Basso, St. Rose of Lima School, Freehold; Julian Koch, St. Veronica Catholic School, Howell; Calvin Kulick, St. Rose of Lima School, Freehold; and Jessica Young, St. Rose of Lima School, Freehold.