Lakewood Mayor Menashe Miller and members of Lakewood’s Shade Tree Commission recently recognized the winners of the 2016 Arbor Day Poster Contest, open to public school students, grades one to five.

All recipients — one first place winner, one second place winner, two third place winners, one honorable mention with excellence, and 24 honorable mentions — received Proclamations from Lakewood Township and the New Jersey State Legislature through Senator Singer, and two tickets to a Lakewood BlueClaws game, donated by the Lakewood BlueClaws. First, Second and Third Place award winners also received a cash prize donated by First Commerce Bank, Lakewood.

The judges evaluated the quality of the artwork submitted as well as how well the students conveyed the role trees play in the environment.  Shade Tree Commission members who presented awards to the winners were Stan Crnobori, chairman, Craig Theibault, vice chairman; and Mary Kay Malec, executive assistant. All posters were judged by the Shade Tree Commission members.

The Winners:

First Place:  Jay-Lyn Sanchez, 4^th Grade, Oak Street School

Second Place: Janiris Leal Rosales, 5^th Grade, Oak Street School

Third Place: Malachi Trujillo, 1^st Grade, Oak Street School; and Kevin Sanchez, 1^st Grade, Spruce Street School.  (Sarah Brown, Art Teacher at Spruce Street School)

Honorable Mention with Excellence: Kevin Bello, 4^th Grade, Oak Street School

Honorable Mentions:

Oak Street School: John Minka, Art Teacher

Ashley Ramirez – 1^st Grade

Kevin Barajas – 1^st Grade

Evelyn Perez-Flores – 2^nd Grade

Shayla Rojas Gomez – 2^nd Grade

Deysy Martinez – 2^nd Grade

Daylin Osrio-Jimenez – 2^nd Grade

Susana Gonzalez – 3^rd Grade

Jaretzy Mendez – 3^rd Grade

Angely Flores – 3^rd Grade

Kevin Cacalotl – 3^rd Grade

DaShaun Witter – 4^th Grade

Keyla Arellano – 4^th Grade

Jesus Manzarran – 4^th Grade

Allison Angel – 5^th Grade

Marvin Garcia – 5^th Grade

Karen Ortega Marin – 5^th Grade

Paul Ramirez Clara – 5^th Grade

Yamilet Santos – 5^th Grade

Dayana Arteaga – 5^th Grade

Marvin Garcia – 5^th Grade

Allison Angel – 5^th Grade

Clifton Avenue School: Kristen DeVuyst and Ariel Williams, Art Teachers

Estephany Cuautle – 5^th Grade

Ella G. Clarke School, Reginald Russell, Art Teacher

Yasmin Xahuentitla – 4^th Grade

Auja Toney – 4^th Grade

Craig Theibault, vice chairman, said, “We hold a poster contest each year to raise awareness of the importance of trees among children. We hope the children will learn about trees, and take an interest in them, by planting trees and preserving Lakewood’s valuable tree resource. The Shade Tree Commission greatly appreciates the support shown by the Lakewood School District administration and teachers for the yearly Arbor Day Poster Contest.”

Lakewood Township has been designated a Tree City USA for the 35^th consecutive year for having a commitment to caring for and managing public trees, and for its annual Arbor Day programs.       

Picture Caption: Lakewood Officials with Arbor Day Poster Winners (l. to rt. Back Row) Committeeman Ray Coles, Committeeman Michael D’Elia, Mayor Menashe Miller, Deputy Mayor Isaac Akerman, and Committeeman Meir Lichtenstein. With the winners (on the left) are also Thomas Henshaw, Municipal Manager; and Vice President of Shade Tree Commission Craig Theibault. On the right are Mary Kay Malec, Shade Tree Commission; and Stan Crnobori, President of the Shade Tree Commission.

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