The 1999 Pre-Teen New Jersey Scholarship & Recognition Program was held recently at the Brunswick Hilton & Towers Hotel in East Brunswick. New Jersey’s best and brightest top female honor roll students, ages 7 to 12 years old, competed for over $5,000 in educational bonds, prizes, and awards, as well as for the opportunity to qualify for competition in the 2000 Pre-Teen America Nationals to be held July 2-7, 2000, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel  in Knoxville, Tennessee.  There they will have the opportunity to compete for over $25,000 in educational bonds, prizes, and awards. 

 The participants were evaluated in seven criteria divisions including (1) Academic Achievement (2) Volunteer Service to Church and Community (3) School Honors and Activities (4) Development of Personal Skills and Abilities (5) General Knowledgeability (6) Communicative Ability (7) On-Stage Expressiveness and Overall Pre-Teen Image.

 The following are the state titleholders and runners-up.

 1999 Pre-Teen New Jersey  (Senior)

 Rebecca Caldwell - 10 year old daughter of Lisa Caldwell of Trenton

 1st Runner-Up - Sr. (Tie)

 Marjorie Polunas - 11 year old daughter of M/M Rich Polunas of Wall Township

Margaret Schmierer - 10 year old daughter of M/M Bill Schmierer of Middletown

 2^nd Runner-Up - Sr.

 Elizabeth Froio - 12 year old daughter of M/M Rick Froio of Bayonne

 3^rd Runner-Up - Sr.(Tie)

 Leanna Dattolo - 10 year old daughter of M/M Richard Dattolo of Mays Landing

Stefanie Argus - 12 year old daughter of M/M Ronald Argus of Washington

 4^th Runner Up - Sr.(Tie)

 Kristina Catani - 12 year old daughter of M/M Joe Catani of Sewell

Kristen Paporello - 11 year old daughter of M/M Gary Paporello of Newton