Special Education Art Contest Winner Announced

Melissa Cimafranca of Rochelle Park has been selected as the statewide winner of the Special Education Week Poster contest for 2014. The vibrant and detailed colored pencil drawing by the 21-year old student at The Bergen Center for Child Development was selected from among scores of submissions for the award.

“This is a huge achievement for her,” said Amelito Cimafranca, Melissa’s father. “She loves to draw. I think it is her way of coping.”

Melissa said that through art, she expresses her ideas. “I feel happy when I am in art class,” she said.

Mary Guidetti-McColl, the art teacher at the Bergen Center for the last 12 years, describes Melissa as a talented student who is open to new ideas and mediums.

Alfred C. Tagliabue, Executive Director at the Center is proud, not only of his student, but of his art program. “Our art program is one of the shining starts at our school,” he said.

Each year, the New Jersey School Boards Association and ASAH join forces to celebrate the accomplishments of the state’s 220,000 students with disabilities through Special Education Week. This year’s theme, Climbing the Ladder of Learning, reflects the challenges and successes of students, their parents and teachers.

Melissa will be recognized at a luncheon celebration in Princeton on May 12.

Bergen Center for Child Development is a therapeutic school promoting the education and development of children with special needs. The non-profit state approved private school serves children ages 5 through 21. Founded in 1968, the school offers a range of educational social psychological and behavioral support to students with disabilities.

ASAH is a not-for-profit organization of private schools and agencies in New Jersey which provide highly specialized services to more than 11,000 infants, children and young adults with disabilities. Founded in 1974, ASAH now serves more than 145 schools and agencies throughout the state.