Secaucus 4th Grader Honored For Art: 'Why I Love Hudson County'

SECAUCUS, NJ — A Secaucus fourth grader is one of seventeen winners selected by the Hudson County prosecutor in an art contest held this spring in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The office of Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Saurez held the contest for the first time ever in March, in response to children being stuck at home and confined to online learning. The prosecutor asked Hudson County students to submit artwork, videos and poetry with the theme “How Much We Love Hudson County."

In Secaucus, artwork from Arav Bajoria, a fourth grader at Huber Street School, was chosen as one of the winners.

There were dozens of entries and seventeen total winners. Each winner will be presented a $25 Target gift card. We love your painting, Arav!

“It was uplifting to see the creativity and messages of hope reflected in the artwork, videos and poems,” said Prosecutor Suarez. “During these difficult times, we thought this would be a positive way for young people to engage in a creative outlet while sharing what they love about their hometowns."

All 17 winners:

• Guttenberg – Beau Michael Copeland, Anna Klein School, 2nd grade
• Kearny – Isabella Mangal, Garfield School, 3rd grade
• West New York – Kaylee Majana, Robert Menendez School, 3rd grade
• Secaucus – Arav Bajoria, Huber Street School, 4th grade
• North Bergen – Melani, Ian and Luna Sanchez, Lincoln and Roosevelt Schools, Kindergarten and 2nd grade
• Union City – Layla Martinez and Olivia Navarro, PreK and Roosevelt School
• Weehawken – Mario Buzzelli, Roosevelt School, 6th grade
• Weehawken – Clare Facchini, St. Francis School, 5th grade
• Jersey City – Explore Middle School, Layza Velez, 7th grade
• Jersey City – Learning Community Charter School, Vihaan Badani, 2nd grade
• Jersey City – Primary Prep Middle Schoolers
• ersey City – Global Community Charter School, Angelica Suri, 4th grade
• Jersey City – Sydney Wright, County Prep High School, Grade 10
• County Prep High School, Grade 9, Daana Kamal
• County Prep High School, Grade 10, Tiara Jenkins-Amaker
• County Prep High School, Grade 11, Nyellie Muniz
• County Prep High School, Grade 12, Disha Patel