Howell fifth-grader wins wildlife contest

The Pine Barrens tree frog was the subject of Howell resident Vera DeFusco’s award-winning entry in a contest sponsored by the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey. Vera, a fifth-grader at the Land O’ Pines School, was honored May 2 at a ceremony in Trenton. Vera was chosen from Monmouth County in the statewide contest, which drew more than 1,700 entries from more than 100 schools throughout the state. Vera’s artwork and essay, along with those of 20 other students, will be part of the N.J. Endangered Wildlife Road Show which will stop at various venues throughout the state.

Jackson student wins national poetry contest

Joseph Grammer of Jackson, an eighth-grader at Ocean Day School, won a nationwide poetry contest sponsored by Creative Communications. Joseph’s poem was selected from thousands of entries as one of the top 10 in his grade division. His poem, along with those of other winners, will be published in an anthology and he will receive a $50 savings bond.