Monmouth County Students Win 32nd Annual Essay Contest

MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ — Students from Freehold Borough, Holmdel Township and Wall Township have been named as the winners of the Monmouth County Historical Commission’s (MCHC) 32nd Essay Contest.

The contest, which takes place each year, aims to promote historic preservation and history and is open to all Monmouth County fifth-grade students.

This year, contestants were asked to write about a Monmouth County historical place they visited and how that place helped them appreciate the county and/or national history, or write about an event important to their family’s history and why.

Winners of the contest each received a Certificate of Achievement and a bookstore gift certificate. This year’s winners are as follows:

• 1st Place: Emilia Pignata of St. Rose of Lima School, Freehold Borough, for her essay, The Covenhoven House – History in Our Backyard
• 2nd Place: Victoria Giampolo of Indian Hill School, Holmdel, for her essay, Dr. Cooke’s Medical Office
• 3rd Place: Cristina Young of West Belmar Elementary School, Wall Township, for her essay, Sandy Hook Lighthouse

"My fellow Commissioners and I want to congratulate all the award winners for their passionate work in highlighting the importance of preserving our County’s history,” said Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners Director Thomas A. Arnone. “It is inspiring to see projects like the Ashling Cottage restoration come to life, as well as seeing future generations engage with our local heritage.”

In addition to the essay contest winners, the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners and MCHC also announced the recipients of the county’s 2025 Historic Preservation Awards.

This year, the award was presented to Peter and Linda Foy for their “exceptional work restoring Ashling Cottage in Spring Lake.”

The restoration and maintenance of the cottage is important to Monmouth County’s history because it’s an early example of the vacation cottages, inns, bed and breakfasts and hotels, officials said, which helped transform the county’s coastal farm and fishing communities “into thriving vacation destinations and resorts.”

“As liaison to the MCHC, I was honored to take part in their Essay and Preservation Awards Ceremony,” said Commissioner Erik Anderson. “Peter and Linda Foy were recognized with the 2025 Historic Preservation Award for the restoration of Ashling Cottage, one of the oldest buildings in Spring Lake. We also recognized Emilia Pignata, Victoria Giampolo, and Cristina Young for their outstanding essays.”

“I would like to commend all the award recipients for their deep appreciation of our local history and the meaningful efforts they have made to preserve it,” Anderson continued.

To learn more, you can visit the Monmouth County website.