For Immediate
Release:
April 10, 2025
MonmouthNJ 250 Committee announces poetry
contest in celebration of Nation’s 250th anniversary
FREEHOLD, NJ – The MonmouthNJ 250 Committee,
co-chaired by Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone and Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon, is proud to announce the Freneau
Student Poetry Contest for Monmouth County students in grades three through five
in recognition of America’s 250th birthday.
“In
honor of famous Monmouth County poet Philip Freneau, we are inviting students
to write an original poem about America,” said Commissioner Director Arnone,
Co-Chair of the MonmouthNJ
250 Committee. “Through their poems, students are invited to share their
voices, dreams and reflections on what America means to them.”
“Philip
Freneau was born in New York City in 1752 and moved with his family to Monmouth
County in 1762,” said Monmouth County Clerk Hanlon, Co-Chair of the MonmouthNJ 250 Committee.
“From the age of 10, he lived in Middletown Point, which today is known as
Matawan. Freneau became known as the ‘Poet of the American Revolution’ because
he wrote about the War and inspired people to join the fight for freedom
against the British.”
Prizes
will be awarded for each grade level, and the winning poems will be showcased on
MonmouthNJ250.org, MonmouthNJ 250 social media channels and will be highlighted
throughout the Semiquincentennial celebration.
Submission
may be sent via email to monmouthnj250@co.monmouth.nj.us with the subject
“Freneau
Student Poetry Contest,” and poem attached in either Word Document or PDF
format; or via mail to MonmouthNJ 250 Committee, Attn: MonmouthNJ 250 Student
Poetry Contest, 33 Mechanic Street, Freehold, NJ 07728. The
deadline for submission is May 16, 2025 and winners will be announced by June
1, 2025.
To
learn more about the MonmouthNJ 250 Committee and other events surrounding the
celebration, go to MonmouthNJ250.com or follow the Committee on Facebook,
Instagram and X @MonmouthNJ250.
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