The New Jersey Department of Human Services (NJDHS) invites pre-teens and teens across the state to participate in its Annual Teen Media Contest sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development, focusing on parental responsibility.

The statewide contest is open to New Jersey middle school and high school students.

This year's contest theme is:  Depict a unique quality in your parent(s) that you would like to see in yourself and pass on to your children.  Student hand-drawn submissions should illustrate a positive quality. For example, do your parent(s) exhibit generosity? Honesty? Do they exhibit a love for animals? Do they have a passion for cooking?

All entries must be postmarked no later than Friday, March 30, 2012.

An emphasis is placed on the idea that while they may not live together under one roof – both parents are responsible for enriching the life and securing the future of their child. The DHS intends to use winning student entries to promote this public awareness campaign aimed at New Jersey’s non-custodial parents.

Evaluation Criteria & Judging

Members of the New Jersey Department of Human Services with representatives from various other organizations and/or corporations in the State will serve as judges for the Teen Media Contest.

Judging of artwork will be based on the following criteria (in no specific order).

    • Theme Depiction
    • Overall Appearance
    • Originality
    • Design & Execution

Prizes

The following prizes are awarded to three students in each category. For example, a first, second and third place winner will be chosen from middle school grades and a first, second and third place winner from high school grades. A special awards presentation will take place in spring 2011.

First Place         $300 Savings Bond
Second Place    $200 Savings Bond
Third Place       $100 Savings Bond