May 11, 2011, a Wednesday – a beautiful day – the sun was shining, there was a wee bit of a breeze yet a marvelous day none the less.  After the winter we’ve had just looking out the car window as we headed south to Trenton I was smiling to myself as the lush greens of spring that line 195 came popping up at me.  Off of Route 29 and onto Market, or was it Memorial, no matter it was grand – that buzz that comes with being in ‘a city’.  There were people all over coming and going, an ambulance went zipping by siren blaring followed by a fire engine.  Ah yes, the energy level up a bit from down the Shore.  We found ourselves at our destination on West State Street – right there at the State House Annex.  I hadn’t been to the capitol in sometime and I must admit there is vast improvement – cleaner, brighter, seemingly more organized.  Parking in the visitors’ garage was a snap and everyone was so nice and friendly – security, those checking us in and our hosts for the event. 

As we entered the committee room where the award ceremony was to take place we were greeted immediately and shown to seats right up front.  Such a beautiful room with what seemed like at least a 40 foot high ceiling and all the grand ornate columns going up the sides of the walls topped with twirls of candy cane woodwork.

We had made the trip to Trenton to witness the honoring of six New Jersey high school and middle school students for their winning entries in the Teen Media Contest which helps promote parental responsibility in New Jersey's youth sponsored by the Department of Human Services (DHS).   Celebrating its 16th year DHS' Division of Family Development, Office of Child Support hosted the event.

The contest uses the topic of parenting to engage students in creative thinking through art.  The 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.

The substantial audience was welcomed by New Jersey Division of Family Development Assistant Director Alisha Griffin who introduced Division of Family Development Director Jeanette Page-Hawkins.  Page-Hawkins accentuated the importance of the day by highlighting the professional level of artistic ability shown by the students who participate in the contest. She emphasized the need for students to consider the implications and responsibilities of becoming a parent too soon, "By illustrating what they have learned from their parents, teens get a small window into the hundreds of the things that parents teach their children every day."

This year's theme was for kids to illustrate a positive quality they have learned from a parent or guardian, such as how to be a good friend, how to work hard, how to make people laugh, or how to support others during tough times. Hundreds of entries were received from all around the state.

 The winners were - In the high school category: First place, Josue C. Castillo, Union County Vocational Technical H.S., Scotch Plains; Second place, Larissa Naegele, Wall High School, Wall; Third place, Connie Yu, John P. Stevens High School, Edison.
In the middle school category: First place, Caela Johnson, William Davies Middle School, Mays Landing; Second place, Brooke Healy, Schuyler-Colfax Middle School, Wayne; Third place, Violet Lee Hoagland, Long Branch Middle School, Long Branch.

Each individual artwork will be used in the 2012 calendar presented by the Department. All winners received laminated plaques to commemorate their achievement. Additionally the awardees received U.S. Savings Bonds and two day passes to Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey.  All winning entries will be on display in the State House from May 16 to May 20.   We can be very proud here in our little County of Monmouth as out of the 12 winners 2 are local young ladies - Larissa Naegele of Wall and Violet Lee Hoagland of Long Branch.  After the presentation delighted family members applauded as photographers snapped away and Action 6 News recorded the event. Standing tall and pleased as punch were Long Branch Middle School Lead Principal Donald Covin and art teacher Irina Kinley who made the trip down to celebrate their 8^th grade student Violet Lee Hoagland.  

Heading out of the city we saw Kat Man Du up ahead.  My daughter didn’t hesitate for a moment – just zipped right into the parking lot.  Escorted to our table out on the porch we sat at the rail overlooking the Delaware River, the train bridge just over our shoulders.  The sun was ablaze as small boats with ever-patient fishermen went slowly by so quiet in their pursuit of that first catch of the season. The salmon was splendid covered in mandarin sauce and accompanied with those wonderful fries mixed with fried onions and peppers.  I looked across the table at the beautiful 14 year old woman seated before me and glanced to my left at my own child still bursting with pride and through my mind went running that song of old – ‘Some Days are Diamonds’ by John Denver.  Truly – without a doubt for this grandma - this day was diamonds. 

C.M. McLoughlin, a writer and editor from New Jersey and New York, can be reached at mcloughlin43@gmail.com

 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