Dirty Work: Hopatcong Students Win Soil Conservation Awards

Four Hopatcong students grabbed first-place prizes in the 2010 Sussex County Soil Conservation Poster Contest.

Second-grader Madison Maniquis, fifth-grader Jessica Alvarez, freshman Michele Maddaluna and senior Haleigh Holmes each took home top prizes in their age levels for posters following the them "Conservation Habits = Healthy Habitats," according to the contest's website.

"The contest is one element of a comprehensive educational program conducted by the New Jersey Conservation Partnership," the Sussex County Soil Conservation District said.

The students were given certificates at Monday night's Board of Education meeting at the administration building.

Matthew Tillery, Sara Magee and Jessica Magrini each nabbed second-place finishes. Devon Crouch and Danielle Markovski bagged third-place honors.

Hopatcong teachers Mark Certo, Christina Gordon, Kristine Mendyke and Joanne Carr aided the students in the project.