Human Services Awards Summit Teen for Creative Display of Parental Responsibility

Jung-Jin Deborah Lee, a student at  state's Department of Human Services (DHS) for her winning entry in the 17th annual Teen Media Contest. The contest helps promote parental responsibility in New Jersey's youth.  In all, six New Jersey high school and middle school students were honored.

DHS' Division of Family Development's Office of Child Support hosted the event.

The contest uses the topic of parenting to engage tweens and teens in creative thinking through art.  Students, who participate through their schools' art classes or faith and community-based organizations, create original artwork in their medium of choice to complement the department's ongoing advertising and outreach campaign: "Child Support. It's more than just money."  

Winners are selected based upon their interpretation of the year's theme and their work is included in a calendar that is compiled and distributed every year.

"Each year, I'm in awe of these students' talent," said DHS Commissioner Jennifer Velez. "Their ability to create such poignant illustrations of what family means to them, is always so impressive."

This contest gives young people a reason to think about parenting, said Jeanette Page-Hawkins, Division of Family Development director.

"It is so clear to me from the art work submitted over the years that it is the simple act of spending time together — whether it's cooking, reading or playing board games — rather than material things, that leaves the most lasting impression on our children," Page-Hawkins said.

This year's theme was to 'depict a unique quality in your parent(s) that you see in yourself and hope to pass on to your children'. The winners are listed below:

In the high school category:
*       First place, Shiza Chaudhary, Piscataway High School
*       Second place, Jung-Jin Deborah Lee, Summit Senior High School
*       Third place, Dana Marie Rebutoc, Nutley High School

In the middle school category:
*       First place, Heather Heimbach, Schuyler-Colfax Middle School, Wayne
*       Second place, Christine Han, Schuyler-Colfax Middle School, Wayne
*       Third place, Krista SanGiacomo, John H. Walker Middle School, Nutley

Each winner received a U.S. Savings Bonds, a plaque of achievement and a pair of day passes to Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson.  All winning entries will be displayed in the Statehouse Annex Tunnel from May 14th through May 18th.

For more information about this program or the New Jersey Office of Child Support Services, please call 1-877-NJKIDS1 or log onto www.njchildsupport.org.