New Jersey Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife |
For more information contact:
Paul Tarlowe at 908-637-4125
The authors of winning essays in the Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife's 13th annual Fishing Essay Contest were honored on the opening day of trout season, Saturday, April 10, at the Pequest Trout Hatchery & Natural Resource Education Center in Oxford, Warren County. Governor Christine Todd Whitman and DEP Commissioner Robert C. Shinn, Jr., were on hand to personally congratulate each of the twelve winners as they fished in the facility's Fishing Education Pond.
Division Director Bob McDowell was also on hand to spend time fishing with the youngsters. "It is a pleasure to not only mark the arrival of trout season, but to personally congratulate these students whose essays were judged best-of-the-best," he said. "These youngsters are able to convey in writing how much they enjoy fishing and relate a particularly poignant or exciting outing."
After fishing, the winners received plaques and fishing equipment at an awards luncheon held in the facility's auditorium.
The theme of this year's essay was "My Favorite Fishing Trip." From nearly 600 essays received, the Division selected the essays from the following youngsters:
Winner | Place | Grade | Hometown | |
Douglas John Warren | 1st | 1 - 2 | Laurence Harbor | |
Sean Mortensen | 2nd | 1 - 2 | Sussex | |
Jaclyn Reed | 3rd | 1 - 2 | Jackson | |
Katelyn Saporito | 1st | 3 - 4 | Stockholm | |
Jake Grossman | 2nd | 3 - 4 | Ridgewood | |
Kate Joseph | 3rd | 3 - 4 | Cranbury | |
Mark A. Torsiello | 1st | 5 - 6 | Wood Ridge | |
Erin Garman | 2nd | 5 - 6 | Egg Harbor | |
Heidi Sarazen | 3rd | 5 - 6 | New Providence | |
Justin Ronkowitz | 1st | 7 - 8 | Cedar Grove | |
Nicholas Dibble | 2nd | 7 - 8 | Alloway | |
Danielle Smith | 3rd | 7 - 8 | Sicklerville |