PALLONE RECOGNIZES OUTSTANDING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AT SPRING AWARDS RECEPTION

May 24, 2010

West Long Branch, N.J. -- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) today announced the winners of the 2010 Sixth Congressional District High School Arts Competition, the recipients of the prestigious Congressional Award, and this year’s U.S. Service Academy nominees at a Congressional Awards Ceremony. Students representing several local high schools were honored at the reception, held at Monmouth University.

Young artists from various schools in Middlesex and Monmouth counties participated in this year’s art competition, which is part of the nationwide program known as “An Artistic Discovery.” Local judges chose first, second and third place winners, and also awarded 15 honorable mentions. The first place winner, Reika Hasegawa, will have her artwork displayed for the next year in the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

Congressional Arts Competition Finalists:
First Place: Reika Hasegawa of Edison High School
Second Place: Charlene Lee of John P. Stevens High School
Third Place: Elizabeth Kim of John P. Stevens High School

Honorable Mentions:

Ayla Nucum of Middletown High School North
Lena Kim of Piscataway High School
Christine Pallas of Matawan Regional High School
Chelsea Mullin of Raritan High School
Andrew Ward of Piscataway High School
Isabella Fernandez of Piscataway High School
Chelsea Silva of Raritan High School
Haeun Cho of John P. Stevens High School
Gregory Yakoumakis of Matawan Regional High School
Cynthia Cheng of Edison High School
Nicole Pivinski of Piscataway High School
Mir Zaid Hussain of Matawan Regional High School
Lauren Woehr of Ocean Township High School
Alyssa Mautone of Raritan High School
Samantha Dorta of Raritan High School

“I have long believed that Congress should play a major role in encouraging the arts,” Pallone said. “This competition provides a forum to help the aspiring young artists of our area gain recognition and exposure. Young artists can gain confidence in themselves and their abilities by displaying their work and having it evaluated by knowledgeable judges.”

The New Jersey Congressman also honored the eighteen candidates he nominated to the U.S. Service Academies. Pallone congratulated each for their dedication and wished them all luck in their future endeavors. The nominees are as follows:

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy: U.S. Military Academy at West Point:
Mark Britton James Campbell
Eric Isaksen Zach Campi
Jacqueline Sufficool Anthony Corona
James Delnero
U.S. Naval Academy: Jose Gomez
Gabriel Drouet Marc Nucum
Henry Greenberg Andrea Park
Michael Kastner
Eric Mahler U.S. Air Force Academy:
Marc Nucum Akil Romany
Andrea Park Philip Savitsky
Matthew Piniella
Steven Spinelli
Adam Taylor
Alexander Turitzin

Pallone also honored the 2010 recipients of the Congressional Award. Created by his predecessor, the late U.S. Rep. Jim Howard, the Congressional Award recognizes the initiative, achievement and volunteer services of young people. The recipients are listed below:

Gold Congressional Award Recipient:
Katherine Bazley of West Long Branch

Silver Congressional Award Recipient:
Jordan Ardakanian

Bronze Congressional Award Recipients:
Alex Jones of Monmouth Beach
Shannon McLernan of Neptune