Freehold Township Students Place in Latino Essay Contest

Freehold Township students were recognized at for their knowledge of Latino culture. Frank Argote-Freyre, director of the Latino Coalition, and Diana Tennant, co-chair of the Latino Festival of Monmouth County, honored six students at the Freehold Township Board of Education meeting at the district office on Tuesday.

The six students placed in an essay contest held in conjunction with the Latino Festival of Monmouth County. The contest was divided into two age groups: sixth through eighth grade and third through fifth grade.

“The Latino Festival is about building bridges between communities,” said Argote-Freyre.

The students were asked to write 800 words on an aspect of Latino culture. The submissions were judged on the originality and writing ability. First place winners received $150, second place winners received $100 and third place winners received $75.

Seventh grader Jesse Garcia of Barkalow Middle School won the sixth through eighth grade category. Sara Chaudhry, an eighth grader at Barkalow, came in second. Barkalow sixth graders Kristen Redding and Valerie Aristy-Reyes tied for third place.

In the third through fifth grade category, fourth grader Francesca Salamone of Marshall W. Errickson Elementary School came in first and fourth grader Angela Eastons of West Freehold Elementary School came in second.