Somerset County: Somerset County Celebrates County Government Month with Annual “My County” Poster Contest

SOMERVILLE, NJ – As part of the County Government Month celebrations, Somerset County’s Constitutional Officers are sponsoring the annual “My County” poster contest for fourth-grade students. The annual poster contest, which receives hundreds of posters that are displayed at the County Administration Building in Somerville, asks the students to consider what makes Somerset County special for them personally. The contest is open to any fourth grade student in the county, whether in public, private, or home school.

“The annual student poster contest is very special for our offices, and it’s always a joy to walk through the hallways and see the incredible display of diversity, intelligence, and talent from Somerset County’s youth,” said Surrogate Bernice “Tina” Jalloh. “Every year I look forward to seeing the different displays of art, facts and history about Somerset County from these wonderful children, and anxiously anticipate reviewing every submission as we work to select a winner.”

	Somerset County Sheriff Darrin J. Russo, Clerk Steve Peter, and Surrogate Bernice "Tina" Jalloh reviewing annual My County poster entries Credit: Somerset County

The first-place winner will receive a pizza party for their class. Three winners will have their photographs taken and receive special certificates at the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners’ meeting on Tuesday, April 25, and their posters will be displayed on the county’s website. All contestants’ posters will be displayed in the County Administration Building in Somerville. The deadline for submission is Wednesday, March 15.

Somerset County has three Constitutional Officers tasked with specific roles and responsibilities. Surrogate Jalloh is responsible for probating wills and administrations, processing guardianships, facilitating adoptions, and managing Minor’s Intermingled Trust Funds. Clerk Steve Peter’s office records property purchases, accepts passport applications, administers Notary Public oaths, supports veterans and Gold Star Families, designs ballots and certifies elections, and performs weddings. Sheriff Darrin Russo oversees safety and security for all County facilities and property, operates the County Jail, provides K9 services for investigations, and oversees Sheriff Sales.

 “My County” Contest Guidelines

• Contestants must be in fourth grade and attending school in Somerset County
• The poster design and content should depict why they think Somerset County is great by using their knowledge of history, current events, or personal experience
• Posterboard must be a standard size of 22” x 28”
• Somerset County must be written in 4” black solid letters across the top of the poster
• The student’s name, teacher’s name, and school must be printed neatly in the lower right-hand corner on the back of the poster

Poster Submissions

Posters must be mailed or delivered no later than March 15, 2022, to the Somerset County Surrogate, Bernice “Tina” Jalloh, at the Somerset County Administration Bldg., located at   20 Grove St., Somerville, NJ 08876. For more information about the contest, call 908-231-7003.