Passaic County Tech Student Wins $10K Prize

May 1, 2002– Passaic County Tech Student Wins $10K Prize in Saint Peter’s College Oratorical Contest

Jersey City, NJ – Carol Gomez (West Paterson, NJ), a student at Passaic County Technical Institute, won the $10,000 first-place prize in the first Guarini Center for Governmental Affairs Oratorical Contest at Saint Peter’s College on Friday. Gomez beat 14 other students who presented speeches entitled “Defining the American Dream and Its Impact on Me.” More than $20,000 in total prize money was awarded.

“I congratulate the winners and all of the competitors,” said Honorable Frank J. Guarini, a former United States Congressman. “It was heartwarming to see the enthusiasm of the students who were competing and to witness their tremendous talent. The Guarini Center for Governmental Affairs, Saint Peter’s College and the sponsors of the inaugural oratorical contest are proud to provide this great opportunity to several deserving students.”

Marisa Fusco (East Rutherford, NJ) from Becton Regional High School finished second and captured a $5,000 prize. Jasmine Mitchell (Plainfield, NJ) from The Wardlaw-Hartridge School finished third and won $2,500, while Eileen Rothschild (Brooklyn, NY) from Bishop Kearney captured fourth place and won $1,000.

Four other students won consolation $500 prizes.

The students were judged in the preliminary round by four Saint Peter’s College faculty members – Lou Ethel Roliston (English), Alain Sanders (Political Science), Fatima Shaik (Communications) and John Walsh (English).

Saint Peter’s College Academic Dean Dr. Eugene Cornacchia, former Saint Peter’s College President and former Dean of Seton Hall University Law School Daniel Degnan, S. J. and the Honorable Marie Garibaldi, former Associate Justice of the New Jersey State Supreme Court judged the finals.

The Guarini Center for Governmental Affairs was established in 1994 to provide a non-partisan forum for the thoughtful discussion of public policy issues and to interest students in pursuing careers in public service. The event was sponsored by Fleet Bank, Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Merrill Lynch, Panepinto Properties, Provident Bank, PSE&G and the Verizon Foundation.

Complete List of Award Winners

Student Hometown High School Place/Prize
Carol J. GomezWest Paterson, NJPassaic County Technical Institute1st/$10.000
Marisa Fusco East Rutherford, NJ Becton Regional 2nd/$
5,000
Jasmine Mitchell Plainfield, NJ The Wardlaw-Hartridge School3rd/$ 2,500
Eileen Rothschild Brooklyn, NY Bishop Kearney 4th/$
1,000

Consolation Winners:

Lawrence Kwon Closter, NJ Northern Valley Regional/
Demarest
$500
Brian Simmons Newark, NJ Immaculate Conception$500
Katherine Dorrity West Caldwell, NJ Mount Saint Dominic
Academy
$500
Nick KrausRahway, NJ Union Catholic $500

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