NEWARK, NJ (May 21, 2024) – The Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey, in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), announced winners of the 12th annual Protect Me With 3+ poster and video contest.

This year’s campaign – Create. Educate. Vaccinate. – emphasized the importance of educating New Jersey communities about the health benefits of vaccination.

“We’re so impressed and inspired by this year’s submissions from talented students whose creativity and drive to educate communities about vaccine importance is helping to change the paradigm in maternal and child health,” said Mariekarl Vilceus-Talty, MA, BSN, President & CEO of the Partnership. “Congratulations to all winners, finalists, educators, and families for another successful year of this enriching youth contest.”

To participate in the contest, middle and high school students in grades 5-12 throughout New Jersey created 8.5”x11” posters (hand-drawn and digitally created) and 30-second videos about the importance of immunizations in protecting the health of adolescents with one of the following vaccines: COVID-19; Flu; Human Papillomavirus (HPV); Meningococcal ACWY (Men-ACWY); and Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap).

“We extend our gratitude to all students and educators who supported this year’s Protect Me With 3+ contest as we empower the next generation of credible health messengers,” said Dr. Tina Tan, State Epidemiologist and NJDOH Assistant Commissioner. “The Department extends its heartfelt congratulations to all winners and participants.”

Among the top finalists, the public selected the following students as this year’s winners:

Grades 5-8

Poster Contest Winners

• 1st place: Riley Lanigan, 7th grade, Henry Hudson Regional School
• 2nd place: Connor Wasik, 5th grade, Terrill Middle School
• 3rd place: Meijun (Esther) Yi, 5th grade, Millstone River School
• Honorable mentions:
o Warta Kamble, 6th grade, Explore Middle School
o Eva Scarabaggio, 7th grade, Henry Hudson Regional School

Video Contest Winners

• 1st place: Iona Nandy and Anoushka Kamath, 8th grade, Terrill Middle School
• 2nd place: Anna Athungal, 5th grade, Terrill Middle School
• 3rd place: Tia Rebello, 7th grade, Robert R. Lazar Middle School

Grades 9-12

Poster Contest Winners

• 1st place: Lindsay Bernstein, 12th grade, Marlboro High School
• 2nd place: Elena Abreu, 12th grade, Notre Dame High School
• 3rd place: Chelsea Martin, 12th grade, Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School
• Honorable mentions:
o Kalie Flanagan, 12th grade, Vernon Township High School
o Sara Palmucci, 12th grade, Marlboro High School

Video Contest Winners

• 1st place: Elizabeth Lavitman and Samantha Schmid, 12th grade, Marlboro High School
• 2nd place: Catherine Guler, 11th grade, Monmouth County Academy of Allied Health and Science
• 3rd place: Ethan Ross and Siddharth Rajakumar, 11th grade, Monmouth County Academy of Allied Health and Science
• Honorable mentions:
o Hanna Ardolino and Julia Stevens, 11th grade, Monmouth County Academy of Allied Health and Science
o Rachael Thai and Yuet-Ying Adrianna Ang, 11th grade, Monmouth County Academy of Allied Health and Science

The winners and finalists were honored at an awards ceremony and banquet held at the Robert Wood Johnson Conference Center on May 16, 2024. The top three student winners in the poster and video categories received prizes. Their creations will be displayed at future health events statewide. View the winning creations here.

Teachers with the most eligible classroom submissions in each category were also acknowledged. Winning teachers and schools include:

Grades 5-8

• Lisa Hirkaler, Glen Meadow Middle School
• Venisha Jordan, Franklin Elementary School
• Krista Phair, Henry Hudson Regional School

Grades 9-12

• Cynthia Pfirrmann, Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School
• Melissa Pitman, Monmouth County Academy of Allied Health and Science
• William Wentz, Marlboro High School

About the Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey

The Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation, licensed by NJDOH. Its mission is to improve the health of women, children, and families. The Partnership has more than 20 years of experience mounting community-based, consumer-friendly, and culturally competent educational programs to parents, caregivers, pregnant women, and individuals of child-bearing age.

Visit NJDOH’s website to learn more about vaccines.