Contests
My County Poster Contest
Please click here for rules about the contest.
Our "My County" poster contest takes place every April during County Government Week. It's open to all 4th grade students throughout Bergen County. Details are sent to each school's Principal in February. For more information call (201) 336-7051.
The First, Second and Third Place winners, as well as Honorable Mentions, are selected by the contests sponsors, Bergen County's Constitutional Officers (County Clerk, Sheriff and Surrogate Court Judge). All twenty winners, along with their families and teachers, are invited to take part in Bergen County's annual "Law Day" Ceremony held in May at the Bergen County Justice Center (Courthouse).
And why not show your support for the winners? Send an email to request a calendar featuring the winning posters.
FIVE STAR STUDENT AWARD
The Bergen County Clerk’s Office is introducing an exciting new program called “The Five Star Student Award.”
Bergen County Clerk John S. Hogan will honor High School students, twice a year. Awards will be distributed in December and April. Rewarded for their exemplary achievements, outstanding students will receive a $1000 check along with a certificate from the John S. Hogan Foundation recognizing their accomplishments.
Our goal is to reward students who continually strive to learn and better themselves within their communities in some unique fashion. We are interested in…
- Student volunteers who dedicate their time to helping others
- Student entrepreneurs who have developed a creative business model or product
- Students who have overcome some form of adversity and have found a meaningful way to give back to their community
- And many more!
Clerk Hogan wants to acknowledge and award the efforts of bright students and have them share their stories, inspiring others in the process.
Eligibility
Any local high school student in grades 9-12 who lives in Bergen County.
Requirements
- 1. Submission of the application
- 2. One written letter of recommendation from a non-family member with knowledge of the student’s volunteer activities
Send your story as well as any photos/videos showing us why you should be recognized for the Five Star Student Award.
Award winners will be chosen twice a year and receive a $1000 check along with a certificate from the John S. Hogan Foundation recognizing their accomplishments.
All applications and recommendations are due by April 28th to Antoinette Colletti.
Send directly to:
Antoinette Colletti
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 201-336-7051 or mcolletti@bergencountynj.gov.
FIVE STAR STUDENT AWARD WINNERS
Congratulations to Ezra Fineman, a sophomore at Fair Lawn High School on being selected as the December Five Star Student Award Winner. Ezra exemplifies extraordinary perseverance in overcoming challenges that he faced as a young child dealing with hyper IgM syndrome. Individuals with HIGM are susceptible to recurrent and severe infections. For the first five years of his life, Ezra lived in isolation. He endured 2 bone marrow transplants and several medical setbacks but is now a healthy teenager. He is actively engaged with various organizations. One is The Gift of Life Marrow Registry, where he was the Master of Ceremonies at their annual gala in New York City this past June. Ezra has been volunteering as an advocate for the NMDP (National Marrow Donor Program) for many years. He has met with Senator Cory Booker and Congressman Josh Gottheimer to advocate for a proposed act that will provide donors with job-protected leave and funding for NMDP. Ezra is also working with the Hyper IgM Foundation as an intern where he is developing a podcast series that highlights young patients with Hyper IgM Syndrome to support their efforts at finding a cure for this terrible disease. He interviews other kids and teenagers around the world to present their voices and perspectives. In addition, Ezra was the Freshman Class Council President and he is currently the Sophomore Class Council President and a member of the Student Government Association Executive Committee for Fair Lawn High School.
CONGRATULATIONS Ezra!
Tiffany Chen, a junior at Ridgefield Park High School, has been selected as the recipient of the Five Star Student Award for May. Known for her unwavering dedication to assisting others, Tiffany goes above and beyond expectations with a cheerful attitude. In less than a year, she has facilitated over 40 volunteer opportunities for students through Key Club. Under her guidance, the Ridgefield Park Key Club has earned prestigious awards such as the Distinguished Diamond Club Award, while Tiffany herself was recognized as the Distinguished Club Officer for her commitment to community service. Last year, she played a pivotal role in fulfilling a 50-year aspiration of the Environmental Commission in Ridgefield Park by opening a nature preserve. Additionally, Tiffany is an active member of Sustainable Ridgefield Park, contributing to their “Swap and Shop” initiative aimed at reducing waste. She has generously donated over $400 to UNICEF and initiated service projects for children, including writing letters to hospitalized kids and participating in the Angel Tree Program. Tiffany also founded a “CoderDojo” to offer free coding classes to children aged 5-11. During her sophomore year, she volunteered more than 75 hours at Holy Name Hospital, and in her junior year, she joined the Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Without her exceptional leadership and coordination skills, numerous community events in Ridgefield Park would not have been possible.
CONGRATULATIONS Tiffany!
Congratulations to Lindsey Samuel, a junior at Fair Lawn High School on being chosen as the Five Star Student Award Winner for January. For the past three years, Lindsey has been Class President and a member of the Student Government Executive Committee where she has demonstrated remarkable leadership qualities. She has planned numerous events and fundraisers, that have helped to foster an inclusive school community. Lindsey has been recognized by her school for her passion and dedication and was awarded the Hugh O’ Brien Leadership Award. She has volunteered over 100 hours at the long-term resident’s unit at Bergen New Bridge Medical. Another passion Lindsey has is her love of music. She wanted to honor her grandfather who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and so she began researching the benefits of music therapy over pharmaceuticals to treat patients battling this disease. She presented her findings to the Spartan Science Engineering Fair and was awarded the Governor’s STEM Scholar Award by the New Jersey State Senate. Her latest endeavor is a club she founded at her high school called “FLHS’s Touring Tunes. Musicians from her school will join together to play for individuals in nursing homes and medical centers. Lindsey consistently goes above and beyond and is always ready to help others.
CONGRATULATIONS Lindsey!