Contests and Awards

2024 Annual Awards

You do not have to be an NJAGC member to make a nomination or to receive an award.
The deadline for submitting nominations is 11:59 PM on December 15, 2023.
For further information, contact awards@njagc.org

Adult Winner

Teacher of the Year

Julia Parada

Julia Parada is a passionate and progressive Special Education teacher and advocate for gifted and twice-exceptional students. Julia has been an educator for neurodivergent learners for over ten years. Since 2014, Julia has used a Growth Mindset, student first language, and multisensory approach to learning. She is inspired by educational leaders making positive changes to our education system such as John Dewey and Carol Dweck. Students are valued, heard, and accepted for their learning differences in her classroom. As a Renzulli-trained teacher of twice-exceptional students, Julia has used student interests to lead the focus for project-based learning opportunities. Julia holds bachelor’s degrees from Rider University in Elementary Education and Psychology with a focus in Special Education. She is currently working on her Masters of Educational Leadership M.A.Ed. at The College of New Jersey.

Adult Winner

Administrator of the Year

Karen Cristalli

Karen Cristalli, M.Ed., is a dedicated educator who leads the K-12 Gifted and Talented program in Harrison, NJ. Currently pursuing her doctorate, Karen focuses on the journey of gifted students post-K-12 education, striving to enhance their transition to higher education in New Jersey. Karen’s expertise extends beyond the classroom. She has conducted numerous professional development workshops and delivered local, state, and national presentations. As the co-president of the Hudson County Gifted and Talented Consortium, Karen plays a pivotal role in shaping gifted education initiatives. She also chairs the Intersectionality of Cognitive and Affective Needs Subcommittee for the Strengthening Gifted and Talented Education Act Committee.

Distinguished Student

Academics and Leadership (Grades 3-5)

Ria Blunt

Ria Blunt is a dedicated and motivated student passionate about mathematics, programming, and computer hardware. Ria started reading and mastering math at a very early age. She quickly advanced in math and simultaneously became interested in computer hardware and software. When nine years old, Ria became the youngest person in Burlington County, New Jersey, to earn college credits. A self‐directed learner, Ria successfully prepared for and passed the College Algebra CLEP (College‐Level Examination Program), a testament to her exceptional dedication and hard work.

In addition to her achievements in mathematics, Ria is a skilled programmer and is also adept at building hardware components and debugging hardware issues. She has independently created projects involving electrical circuits, microcontrollers, JavaScript, and, most recently, C++. Ria has devoted over 100 hours as a lab assistant at the Evesham Township Elementary after-school coding clubs and the Evesham Library Kids Tech Club. For her service hours, Ria has earned a Gold Medal from the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

Beyond her academic and technological achievements, Ria is an avid reader of biographies and folk tales. In her free time, Ria loves making her versions of Disney princess movies. After editing the videos, she previews the movies for her friends.

In the future, Ria wants to pursue a law degree and leverage technical expertise to contribute to the intersection of technology and law, ensuring the protection and advancement of innovative ideas.

Distinguished Student

Academics and Leadership (Grades 6-8)

Pearce Lowdon

Meet Pearce Lowdon, an eighth-grade student at Readington Middle School with a strong love for environmental science. Outside of school, Pearce enjoys chess and paddle boarding, and values traveling and spending time with his family. His favorite subjects are Math and Science.

Pearce has consistently excelled in Science and Math, while earning several Valuable Viking Awards. He actively participates in clubs like EcoAmbassadors, the Gaming Club, Junior Librarian, Model UN, and Youth & Government. Recently, he represented his school in a Taiwan delegation and spoke as a keynote at the district’s parent academy night.

Looking ahead, Pearce aims to contribute to environmental protection and education. Currently, he’s focused on improving his skills in coding Arduino boards. At home, Pearce has four pets: three cats (Thor, Maddie, and Margaret) and one dog (Diana). Pearce is also proudly a first-generation British-American. He is incredibly excited about the journey through eighth grade and beyond!

NJAGC Annual Adult Awards

Each year, NJAGC presents awards as a way of thanking and honoring individuals who stand out among their peers in their commitment to gifted children and gifted education in New Jersey.

NJAGC Adult Awards categories include:

Hall of Fame
Administrator of the Year
Teacher of the Year
Parent of the Year
Developing Minds Award
(for entrepreneurs who developed businesses with a focus on gifted children.)

NJAGC Distinguished Student Awards

The Distinguished Student Awards were developed to recognize students with exceptional ability and achievements in:

Academics
Leadership
Visual, Literary, or the Performing Arts

Awards may be given in the Grades (K-2), (3-5), (6-8), or (9-12) grade level divisions.

2024 Art, Writing, Video & Music Composition

For students in grades pre-K–12

Click the images to download pdf copies of the contest rules and parental permission forms for the contests your students plan to enter.

Once students complete their entries, click the links to access the submission forms for the contest(s) they are entering.

Video

2024 Video Contest Flyer

Music Composition

2024 Music Contest Flyer1

Art and Writing

2024 Art Writing Contest Flyer_Form

Video

2024 Video Contest Flyer

Music Composition

2024 Music Contest Flyer1

2024 Contest winners

Congratulations to all of the 2024 winners!

Instructional Mini-Grants

A Member-only Benifit

Are you looking for funding to support that “special project” for your gifted learners? NJAGC funds competitive awards of up to $500 for eligible proposals for NJAGC members. These mini-grants enable teachers to develop projects that enhance their G/T programs, services, and curriculum. Read more for Mini-Grant details and application forms. Applications are due by January 15, 2024.

NJAGC is proud to announce the Instructional Mini-Grant allocations for the 2021-2022 grant period. The funding of NJAGC’s Instructional Mini-Grant Program represents the Executive Board’s commitment to the development of quality programs for gifted students in New Jersey.

The Instructional Mini-Grants of up to $500 are available to all current members of NJAGC.

As the new school year begins, think of ways you might supplement your G/T program with a boost from NJAGC through the Instructional Mini-Grant Program. The Mini-Grants Program was established to support and supplement local programs that provide appropriate gifted education for students in Grades K-12. Grant applicants may seek funds for use during the last quarter of 2021-2022 or for the first half of the 2022-2023 school year.

The Mini-Grant Coordinator must receive proposals by December 18, 2021. The Mini-Grants Committee will review all proposals and Mini-Grant recipients will be announced before the Annual NJAGC Conference in March 2022.

Grant proposal forms may be obtained by contacting the NJAGC office or by downloading the form at the bottom of this page. The requirements, guidelines, and directions listed on the form must be followed. Applicants not following the grant requirements/directions may be excluded from consideration. Applications must be submitted via e-mail.

Please direct all questions to the Instructional Mini-Grants Coordinator at minigrantchair@njagc.org.

Don’t delay! Brainstorm with colleagues, parents, students, and community resources to create proposals that will enhance the services for gifted students in your school. Let’s direct our mental, emotional, and financial energies toward quality education for New Jersey’s gifted and talented youth through this exciting opportunity.

All applicants must be current members of NJAGC. You can check your membership status on the mailing label of your Promise Newsletter.
Mini-Grant funds of up to $500 are awarded exclusively for programs implemented in New Jersey that are designed for students who have been identified to receive gifted education services.
Only one mini-grant will be awarded per proposal even if more than one teacher submits his/her names on the proposal. One proposal may NOT be submitted in different segments. A mini-grant is for a proposal regardless of the number of teachers or schools a project might involve.
There are no limits on how many years an applicant can submit a proposal, but the submission cannot be for the same project that was funded in prior years, although a multi-year project with a new focus is acceptable.
Applicants may apply for and/or receive only one grant per funding year.
Proposals must be submitted on the NJAGC form which can be downloaded from the Award section of NJAGC’s website www.njagc.org. Forms can also be obtained by emailing minigrantchair@njagc.org
Proposals must be used to fund programs that adhere to NJ Administrative Code as related to gifted education requirements, i.e., no after school programs. Please go to www.njagc.org and download Administrative Code and FAQs to ensure adherence to state regulations.
Proposals must demonstrate quality and creative programs and innovative learning opportunities for gifted students. Grant funds may be used for materials and supplies. The proposal cannot be used to fund transportation.
Decisions of the grant review committee are final. No appeals will be accepted.
Grant recipients will be required to sign a publicity agreement and submit a final report that will give details on how to replicate the program in other schools. Recipients also agree to allow photos and grant descriptions to be posted on the NJAGC website. In addition to the final report, recipients are encouraged to make a presentation at the annual conference of NJAGC and/or write an article for NJAGC’s Promise newsletter.
Recipients must submit a final expenditure report detailing how the funds were spent.
Deadline for grant submissions: December 18, 2021.

Submissions are now closed.

Student Scholarships

A member-ONLY benefit

The Barbara Swicord Scholarship

Provides discretionary funds for tuition assistance to current NJAGC members’ children who are currently in grades K-12. These funds are to be used for programs and educational opportunities outside of regular school attendance for the purpose of enhancing, developing or supplementing skills, talents and/or abilities of the applicant. Award amounts would range up to $250, but not exceed 75% of the total tuition amount. One submission per family will be accepted.

The Lisa A. DeMarzo-Rabke Parent-Child Scholarship

Created in memory of Lisa DeMarzo-Rabke, a former NJAGC trustee. This scholarship will be presented to a family whose child is in a G&T program in their school district, grades K-6. It will provide a family who may not otherwise be able to afford it, the opportunity to take part in NJAGC’s REACH. Recommendations must come through school principals, counselors or teachers. Multiple scholarships will be available for REACH 2018.

Scholarships are available to current NJAGC members’ children who are currently in grades K-12. Discretionary funds are for tuition assistance for programs and educational opportunities outside of regular school attendance for the purpose of enhancing, developing or supplementing skills, talents, and/or abilities of the applicant. Award amounts would range up to $250, but not exceed 75% of the total tuition amount.
Scholarship may only be used for a “new’ activity and not an already ongoing activity or an activity the child has already attended.
Only one scholarship may be awarded to one family.
Funds are sent directly to the program, not the students, upon notification of official acceptance and registration into the program.
A student may only receive an NJAGC scholarship only once for the same activities,
Scholarship awards are determined by the Scholarship Committee. Decisions are based on the information presented in the applications. All committee decisions are final. Students may receive only one scholarship within a 12-month period. Scholarship recipients’ names may be published in NJAGC’s Promise newsletter with parental permission
Scholarship recipients are required to complete a questionnaire at the completion of the program.
All available monies may not be awarded in one year. The committee can choose to carry over monies into the next application period.

Please include a website which details the program. Program information may take the form of a scanned flyer, letter, or other descriptive material. Lessons, camps, workshops, educational trips, special programs, etc., could all be eligible to receive funding.
Applications will be reviewed on the following criteria: Completeness of application, student interest in the program, appropriateness of the program for gifted and talented students, evidence of giftedness with support material, as well as availability of funds.
Eligible students must submit evidence of characteristics of high ability in the areas related to the program for which funds are requested. Such identification may take the form of participation in a formal gifted program, test scores or scored evaluations or some other evidence of talent in a particular area.
In addition, applicants must submit two letters of recommendations from educators familiar with student’s abilities which will be sent directly to the scholarship chair. These letters must indicate how this scholarship program would enhance the learning of the recommended student. Letters must show some correlation between the student’s abilities and strenghts and the enrichment opportunity.
Completed hard copy applications should be sent to scholarshipchair@.njagc.org
Applicants will receive an email to acknowledge receipt of their application.
Download the application here.