Union County Honors Student Voices & Environmental Stewardship in Annual Arbor Day Poetry Contest

In honor of Arbor Day, the Union County Board of County Commissioners, in collaboration with the Union County Shade Tree Advisory Board, unveils the distinguished winners of the annual Union County Arbor Day Poetry Contest. Each year, the contest aims to inspire students in grades 4-8 to embrace environmental stewardship and advocate for tree conservation.

"Each year, this contest reminds us that the next generation is already thinking deeply about the world around them," said Commissioner Chairman Joseph C. Bodek. "Through their poetry, these students show an appreciation for nature that goes beyond the classroom. They're not just learning about the environment-they're becoming advocates for it. We're proud to celebrate their creativity and the powerful message behind their words."

A special awards ceremony, honoring the first, second, and third place winners across different grade levels, will be held during Thursday, April 30th at 6:00pm where the winners will be recognized by the Union County Board of County Commissioners.

4th Grade
1st Place: Beautiful Trees - Finley Miller, Lincoln School
2nd Place: A Tree Stands By Me - Eileen Crawford, Lincoln School
3rd Place: A Seed to a Tree - Rhea Marda, Mountain Park Elementary School

5th Grade
1st Place: Rooted in the Clouds - Eman Hassan, Terence C. Reilly School, Elizabeth
2nd Place: Where the Green Giants Stand - Mackenzie Martinez, School Number 4, Linden
3rd Place: Nature's Chance - Will Leo, Mountain Park Elementary School, Berkeley Heights

6th Grade
1st Place: The Quiet Life of Trees - Leah Marshall
2nd Place: Always a Giver - Lucas Lopina
3rd Place: Life of Trees - Melanie Lopes

7th Grade
1st Place: Guardians of the Street - Liliana Price, Hillside Ave. School, Cranford
2nd Place: Wonderful Creation - Madison Chapka, Lincoln School, Garwood
3rd Place: A Tree's Endless Story - Juliana Pizzuta, Hillside Ave. School, Cranford

8th Grade
1st Place: The Quiet Language of Earth - Shaila Jimenez, School #27, Elizabeth
2nd Place: The Life Trees Bring - Gabriella Gomes, Lincoln School, Garwood
3rd Place: No third-place award (only two entries submitted)

"As liaison to the Shade Tree Advisory Board, it's especially meaningful to see how this contest connects creativity with environmental responsibility," said Lourdes Leon. "These students are expressing, in their own voices, why trees and green spaces matter in our communities. Their work reflects not only talent, but a real understanding of the role we all play in protecting our environment."

Arbor Day, observed every last Friday in April, has its origins in 1872 when it began in Nebraska, urging people to plant trees and raise environmental awareness. Over time, it has grown into a nationwide event promoting the appreciation of trees and their ecological importance. This year, Arbor Day falls on April 24th, highlighting the crucial role of environmental stewardship in safeguarding our natural resources.

For further inquiries regarding the Arbor Day Poetry Contest, please contact Zoraida Mosquera at [email protected] or 908-527-4142. To learn more about Union County's commitment to environmental initiatives, visit The Green Connection at ucnj.org/green-connection.