Teen names lake, receives award

JACKSON - Nicole Way, a ninthgrade student at Jackson Liberty High School, is the winner in the Whispering Grove "Name the Lake" contest.

She is the author of the original name, Iosca, of the lake situated on the site of Whispering Grove, a new residential community in Jackson.

Paramount Homes, the Jackson-based developer/ builder for Paramount Classics at Whispering Grove, will present the award, a $5,000 continuing education bond, to Way, as well as $3,000 worth of equipment for her school during a special ceremony to be held May 16 at 10:30 a.m. at the high school. A lakeside dedication will follow in early June.

The contest was open to all Jackson middle school and high school students. The students were asked to submit an entry form with an original name for the lake.

According to a press release, Way's submission, Iosca, was selected by a group of judges composed of Jackson Board of Education members and a representative from Paramount Homes.

Iosca is the Leni-Lenape word for shining waters, which was best suited for the lake and a symbol of the Indians, as explained by Way in her entry form.

"We are very pleased with the interest and creativity Jackson students showed in the 'Name the Lake' contest," said Jeffrey Fernbach, president of Paramount Homes.

"The judges did a great job reviewing over 100 entries for creativity, originality, appropriateness and reasons given for the name.

"I would like to congratulate the winners, Ms. Nicole Way and Jackson Liberty High School, and everyone who took the time to participate in the contest. We at Paramount Homes are very proud to support the Jackson schools and the community," Fernbach added.