‘My County’ Poster Contest Entry Deadline is Feb. 26

COURT HOUSE – The Constitutional Officers of Cape May County are sponsoring their twenty-fourth annual “My County” Poster Contest open to fourth grade students countywide.  Sheriff Gary G. Schaffer, Surrogate M. Susan Sheppard, and County Clerk Rita Marie Fulginiti sponsor this annual event to bring awareness of the function of county government to fourth graders, who regularly study the topic as part of their curriculum.
The object is for the student to depict his or her concept of what is unique about Cape May County and how it relates to county government.  “We encourage students to think about what is special about Cape May County government and draw it.”  Fulginiti said, “This year’s national theme is “Safe and Secure Counties” because counties play an essential role in keeping America’s communities safe and secure by supporting justice systems, bolstering economic opportunities, responding to natural disasters, facilitating emergency management response and more.
Any poster drawing that relates to any aspect of Cape May County or county government is acceptable. “Past contest winners have been highly creative with posters depicting our county’s coastal, agricultural, marine and recreational venues as well as county government services our citizens rely upon.”
The Constitutional Officers have notified the county’s elementary schools of the contest.  Many fourth grade teachers encourage the students to create posters for the contest as an in-class project.  Other students create their posters at home.   Students are eligible to submit only one entry per student.  Group entries are not accepted in this contest.
Twelve winning posters will be selected by a panel of independent judges.  The winning posters will be displayed in the Court House Lobby during the month of April to commemorate County Government Month.  These winning posters will be featured on a 2017 color poster calendar distributed to the winners and 2017 fourth grade class.   All twelve winners will receive a tote filled with items and a personalized mug. 
The 1st place winner will also receive a $100.00 gift card plus a pizza party with his/her home room classmates, 2nd and 3rd place winners will each receive a $50.00 gift card.  There will be nine honorable mention winners.  All twelve winners, along with their families, friends and school personnel will be invited to participate in the My County Poster Contest Awards Ceremony taking place April 20, 2016 at 3:30 p.m. in the Cape May County Courts Facility.
The guidelines for the poster contest are as follows:
Eligible participants:  4th Grade Students from Cape May County.  The poster drawing must be entirely the work of the student.
Poster size and paper type:  22″ X 28″ – White Poster Board
Format:  Cape May County must appear in 4″ black letters at top of poster.
Poster must depict student’s concept of what is unique about Cape May County and how this relates to county government.
Student and teacher name as well as the name of school must be printed on back of poster. 
Please do not use 3 dimensional objects glued onto the poster.
Deadline to submit entries: Feb. 26, 2016 before 4:30 p.m.
The decision of the judges is final.
 Entries must be delivered to 
Rita Marie Fulginiti, County Clerk
7 N. Main Street
Cape May Court House NJ  08210