(Newark, N.J., May 5, 2007) -- For the 18th year, New Jersey high school students were given the chance this spring to bare their souls in writing as part of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation annual New Jersey High School Poetry Contest co-sponsored by Rutgers-Newarks College of Arts and Sciences. Nearly 700 young poets from across the state participated -- submitting 3,990 poems for consideration -- and from that talented group, 20 winners were selected last month.
The winners were honored at an April reception in which each poet was able to read his or her winning works. Each winner will receive a $100 prize.
The winning poems were selected by a panel of three judges: Barry Seiler, assistant instructor, R-N English department; Patricia Bender, director of the R-N Writing Center, and Marjorie Barnes, associate professor, English, Union County College.
The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and Rutgers-Newark College of Arts and Sciences are the sponsors of this popular annual poetry competition, which is open to all New Jersey high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
NJHS POETRY CONTEST WINNERS FOR 2007
ATLANTIC COUNTY
Zoe Rosenberg, Margate, NJ, Atlantic City H.S.
BERGEN COUNTY
Christie-Leigh Grosman, Allendale, NJ, Northern Highlands Regional H.S.
Nicole Weingartner, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, Hasbrouck Heights H.S.
Amelia Ann Titus, Mahwah, NJ, Mahwah H.S.
Tracey Zane, Tenafly, NJ, Tenafly H.S.
CAMDEN COUNTY
Jason Simon-Bierenbaum, Haddon Heights, NJ, Haddon Heights H.S.
BURLINGTON COUNTY
Lindsay DAndrea, Medford, NJ, Shawnee H.S.
Jill Gonzalez, Mt. Laurel, NJ, Lenape H.S.
ESSEX COUNTY
Kristina Chiappetta, Livingston, NJ, Livingston H.S.
Jenny Hui, Livingston, NJ, Livingston H.S.
Grace Tung, Livingston, NJ, Livingston H.S.
Myles Gerraty, Nutley, NJ, St. Benedicts Prep (Newark)
HUNTERDON COUNTY
Jennifer Weber, Flemington, NJ, Hunterdon Central Regional H.S.
Dann Kessel, Somerville, NJ, Hunterdon Central Regional H.S.
MERCER COUNTY SCHOOL, OUT OF STATE RESIDENT
Mark Millner, Yardley, PA, Princeton Day School
MIDDLESEX COUNTY
Marie Conti, Metuchen, NJ, Metuchen H.S.
MONMOUTH COUNTY
Brian Lewis, Middletown, NJ, Middletown H.S. South
SOMERSET COUNTY
Shannon M. Kelly, Basking Ridge, NJ, Ridge H.S.
UNION COUNTY
Allison Weilandics, Clark, NJ, Arthur L. Johnson H. S.
Jayne Dzuback, Fanwood, NJ, Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S.
