Essex County Students Compete in Consumer Bowl

They talked about games of chance, home foreclosures, car purchases, furniture delivery, identity theft and the state's Lemon Law.

High school students from around Essex County came to West Caldwell Tech High School yesterday to compete in the county-wide Consumer Bowl. Teams from Newark Tech, North 13th Street Tech in Newark, West Caldwell Tech, Nutley High School, West Side High School and Irvington High School took part in the game-show style competition.

Nutley High Teacher Ann Mary Mullane said her students learned listening and leadership skills in addition to valuable consumer information, "It was totally new to them. . . But they had a sense they would need it. They were a hard-working group."

But after the two rounds of competition, Irvington High bested the schools to take home the county title and Newark Tech High School came in second place.

"They learned a lot about what consumers should do, their rights and they learned they have a voice," said Sue Fermin, teacher at West Side High School. Team coordinator Gail Sherman said the information the students learned can be shared with others, including their families. Students learned their rights involving gym memberships, long-distance telephone cards and car purchases.

"Many of the things are related to things in their household," Sherman pointed out.

Peggy Anastos of the Division of Consumer Affairs moderated the competition and used the day to encourage students to pursue their college and career dreams. Each student told Anastos what he or she dreamed of in the future - including careers in law, engineering, law enforcement, teaching, nursing and pharmaceuticals.

"This helps them know their rights so nobody can take advantage of them," said Anastos. "Even if students absorb 25 of all the information they study for the Consumer Bowl, it is enough to make them think twice before responding to advertisements and will help them recognize scams."

Though North 13th Street High School wasn't amongst the winners, teacher Trish Schaffer said she was proud of her students who met since December to review the consumer bowl study guide. "They're enthusiastic . . . and as consumers, they really need this information. These are things they're going to do every day."

Irvington High School will represent Essex County in the North Regional competition next.