Biotechnology HS Junior Named Winner Of Countywide Video Contest

FREEHOLD, NJ - Four Monmouth County high school students were recently named winners of the county clerk’s 2020 elections and voting video contest, with one Biotechnology High School student claiming first place.

Tienne Yu, a junior at Biotechnology High School in Freehold, won the top spot and a $200 gift card prize for her video entry depicting the history of voting rights. Yu also demonstrated how to properly cast a mail-in ballot in the county.

“Not voting equates to silencing our own voices and suppressing the power we have been given,” Yu said in her video. “Voting is not only a right or privilege, but it is an obligation we have to our country today, our country tomorrow, and our country the many days after that.”

The contest’s theme related to the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment which granted women the right to vote and the 150th anniversary of the 15th Amendment which granted African American men the right to vote. All high school students in Monmouth County were invited to enter by forming groups of no more than three to create a video that highlighted the importance of the aforementioned milestones.

The second place award went to Meredith Farrington and Leighton Van Wagner - both
seniors at Trinity Hall in Tinton Falls - who each received $75 gift card prizes. The duo’s submission featured a group of their friends to remind the younger generation
how their votes can make a difference.

“As United States citizens, voting is the cornerstone of our Constitution…we cannot forget how lucky we are to have the right to vote, and [that] it is our civic duty to do so,” the pair said in their video.

Natalina Leite, a junior at Saint John Vianney High School, was named the third place winner and received a $100 gift card prize. Leite featured hand-drawn and animated slides in her video that provided an overview of the passage of both the 15th and 19th Amendments.

“It is especially important for you to vote if you are young because you are voting for
your future, and possibly your future children in America. I hope you... go vote, for
yourself, your future, and to honor those who fought to get us here,” Leite said in her video.

All winning entries will be incorporated into the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office voter outreach campaigns.

“The three winning videos took different visual and historical approaches to creatively
encourage young people to exercise their right to vote,” said Monmouth County Clerk Christine Hanlon. “I was extremely impressed by the students’ entries and commend them on a job well done.”

All three videos are available for viewing on the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office YouTube channel.