Contests

Get Out To Vote Video Contest

Sponsored by the Bergen County Clerk’s office

$500 Prize to the winning student

We are looking for students ages 16-21 to create a 3-5 minute video aiming at one or more of the following topics:

  1. How to register to vote
  2. Different ways to vote
  3. Why the youth vote is so important

Your video should be informative and appeal to a young audience. We will not accept videos containing profanity. We ask that your video contain closed captioning. Submissions must be original work. Please note participant videos cannot feature people or music without gaining approval through a signed release. Participants agree not to use, reproduce, incorporate into their submission, or display without permission any material or work created by or belonging to a third party. By submitting your work to the Bergen County Clerk’s Office, you are giving the Clerk’s Office the non-exclusive right to publish your work in any format. Please click on the link below, download and complete the application, and include the URL of your video to: Mcolletti@co.bergen.nj.us

All video submissions are due by Tuesday, November 1, 2002

The Application is HERE.

The Bergen County Clerk’s Office is introducing an exciting new program called “The Five Star Student Award.”

Beginning in April of 2022, Bergen County Clerk John S. Hogan will honor High School students, every three months. Awards will be distributed in June, September, and December of 2022. Rewarded for their exemplary achievements, outstanding students will receive a $500 check along with a certificate from the John S. Hogan Foundation recognizing their accomplishments.

Our goal is to reward students who continually strive to learn and better themselves within their communities in some unique fashion. We are interested in…

  • Student volunteers who dedicate their time to helping others
  • Student entrepreneurs who have developed a creative business model or product
  • Students who have overcome some form of adversity and have found a meaningful way to give back to their community
  • And many more!

Clerk Hogan wants to acknowledge and award the efforts of bright students and have them share their stories, inspiring others in the process.

Eligibility

Any local high school student in grades 9-12 who lives in Bergen County.

Requirements

  • 1. Submission of the application
  • 2. One written letter of recommendation from a non-family member with knowledge of the student’s volunteer activities

Send your story as well as any photos/videos showing us why you should be recognized for the Five Star Student Award.

Award winners will be chosen in September and receive a $500 check along with a certificate from the John S. Hogan Foundation recognizing their accomplishments.

All applications and recommendations are due by September 19th to Antoinette Colletti.

The application is here.

Send directly to:
Antoinette Colletti
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 201-336-7051 or mcolletti@co.bergen.nj.us.

5 Star Winners

Alyssa

Alyssa Cerchio a senior from North Arlington High School is the proud recipient of the 1st quarter Five Star Student Award. Bergen County Clerk, John S. Hogan chose Alyssa because of her hard work with the Epilepsy Foundation of America. Alyssa was diagnosed with generalized epilepsy at the age of 12. Soon after being diagnosed, she began helping spread awareness about epilepsy and volunteered her time with the Epilepsy Foundation of America. She became an Awareness Ambassador and participated in the Teens Speak Up Conference where she met with local senators and advocated for increased funding for epilepsy. In November, Alyssa received a proclamation from North Arlington in recognition of Epilepsy Awareness Month. She has continued to volunteer and raise money by participating in “Lemonade for Livy”, painting a local rock during Epilepsy Awareness Month, and placing purple ribbons around her high school. She is always thinking and trying new ways to spread awareness.

CONGRATULATIONS Alyssa!

Kasai

Bergen County Clerk John Hogan is proud to announce the 2nd quarter recipient of the Five Star Student Award. Kasai Sanchez, a junior at Teaneck High School. Kasai received a certificate along with a $500 check from the John S. Hogan Foundation. Currently, she serves as Junior Class President. She has a 4.7 GPA and has acquired over 300 hours of community service. Kasai is a member of the Teaneck Youth Advisory Board. She has advocated for healthier lunches and helped organize events to teach youth about civics and government. Kasai is part of “Students Demand Action Bergen,” a student-led group that works towards advocating against gun violence. She worked to create the first Black Lives Matter mural in Teaneck’s Votee Park and helped create a mural at her high school. She went to Trenton to speak about the need for school integration. She feels it is important for students from different cultures to interact in the hopes of breaking down racial and ethnic biases. “TILT” is a group she co-founded that helps to integrate public and private schools for students to engage in community service projects which serve the community and youth who are in elementary and middle school.

CONGRATULATIONS Kasai!

Our "My County" poster contest takes place every April during County Government Week. It's open to all 4th grade students throughout Bergen County. Details are sent to each school's Principal in February. For more information call (201) 336-7006.

The First, Second and Third Place winners, as well as Honorable Mentions, are selected by the contests sponsors, Bergen County's Constitutional Officers (County Clerk, Sheriff and Surrogate Court Judge). All twelve winners, along with their families and teachers, are invited to take part in Bergen County's annual "Law Day" Ceremony held in May at the Bergen County Justice Center (Courthouse).

And why not show your support for the winners? Send an email to request a calendar featuring the winning posters.