Kean Announces Winners of his Essay Contest Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary

(June 24, 2026) LEBANON BOROUGH, NJ - Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) announced the winners of his contest celebrating America's 250th anniversary. Students were instructed to write an essay that responded to the following prompt:

• America's Story Begins at Home: History isn't just in textbooks-it's in our own backyards. What role did your New Jersey hometown play in shaping the nation? Whether it's a pioneering person, a historic landmark, or a pivotal local event, tell the story of how your hometown helped shape the future of America.

Students in grades 3 and 4 submitted essays no longer than 150 words. Students in grades 5 and 6 submitted essays no longer than 300 words. The winning essays will be framed and hung in Congressman Kean's New Jersey office and featured on the congressman's official website.

In the 3rd and 4th grade category, the winners are Nolen Mascola from High Bridge for his essay "High Bridge Played a Role in the Revolutionary War" and Zianna Patel from Scotch Plains for her essay "America's Story Begins at Home: Scotch Plains."

In the 5th and 6th grade category, the winners are Clara Martin from Chester for her essay "Chester's Crucial Contribution" and Arkayan Trivedi from Budd Lake for his essay "Backyard History."

"New Jersey has such a rich history," said Congressman Kean. "I appreciated reading about the places within New Jersey's Seventh Congressional District that helped shape our nation's founding. The essays truly reflected both an understanding of New Jersey's proud history and a strong sense of hometown pride. I look forward to seeing the winning essays displayed in my office."

Several students were also recognized with Honorable Mentions for their essays:

3rd and 4th grades:

• Lia Bonanni from Stockton
• Grace Erwin from Summit
• Jack Lane from Scotch Plains
• Jaxson Romond from Scotch Plains
• Vaughn Schneider from High Bridge
• Aiden Vazquez from Scotch Plains
• Aditya Vir Singh from Flanders

5th and 6th grades:

• Nikan Ameri from Flanders
• Calvin Barish from Flanders
• Ava Colicchio from Chester
• Jack Hyman from Winfield
• Margot Kinsley from High Bridge
• John Meany from Bernardsville
• Diva Vats from Warren

The essays were independently judged by the following panel of judges:

Julia Diddell of Westfield is the Executive Director of the Washington-Rochambeau Trail Alliance of New Jersey (WRTA-NJ/W3R-NJ), a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the history of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail. Ms. Diddell has served as a judge for New Jersey Student History Day and as the New Jersey State Chair of the DAR Good Citizens Committee.

Alex Lazorisak is the County Administrator for Warren County, New Jersey. A student of design, architecture, and early American history, he lived in New England before moving to Oxford in Warren County, where he served as mayor, committeeman, and a past president of the Oxford Historical Society. He has remained active and interested in exploring Oxford and Warren County's role in the revolutionary war.

Mary H. Melfi is in her fifth five-year term as Hunterdon County Clerk. A former member of the Flemington Borough Council, Ms. Melfi is currently serving as the Vice President of the 200 Hunterdon Club of Hunterdon County and is an active member of American Legion Post 159 Ladies Auxiliary and the Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey.

Michael Stanzilis has been the mayor of Mount Arlington Borough since 2016 and is a former borough council member. He has been an active volunteer in several Morris County organizations, including the Morris County Chamber of Commerce, and was recently appointed to the Executive Board of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities.

The winning essays can be read HERE.

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