Ewing High School student Alexandra Pietsch (center) poses with Division of Family Development director Jeanette Page-Hawkins (right) and assistant director Alisha Griffin (left) at the Annual Teen Media Contest award ceremony May 15, 2013 at the Statehouse. Pietsch was awarded third place in the high school category of the New Jersey Department of Human Services’ art contest.
Ewing High School student Alexandra Pietsch won third place in the Department of Human Services Division of Family Development’s Annual Teen Media Contest in May.
Six high school and middle school students were honored for their artwork, which will be included in a calendar the department distributes each year.
Students, who participate through their schools’ art classes, create original hand-drawn artwork to complement the department’s ongoing advertising and outreach campaign: “Child Support. It’s more than just money.”
For this year’s contest, the department challenged students to illustrate the ways in which their parents have instilled the importance of community service and being a well-rounded student. Many students submitted pictures of their families at local events.
DHS commissioner Jennifer Velez said the theme was particularly relevant in light of communities’ recent outreach to those impacted by Superstorm Sandy.
“Our department works with individuals and families who are economically insecure on a daily basis. In addition, we’ve been working closely with residents who were displaced or otherwise impacted by Superstorm Sandy, Velez said in a statement.
Other winners are Elizabeth McLaughlin and Christa Pieper of Piscataway High School, Carrie Zhang of John H. Walker Middle School in Nutley, Timothy Scherer of Monroe Township Middle School and Sophia Jeon of Schuyler-Colfax Middle School in Wayne.
Each winner received a U.S. Savings Bond, a plaque of achievement and a pair of day passes to Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson. Their artwork was displayed in the Statehouse Annex Tunnel from May 20 through 24.
More information is online at njchildsupport.org.
