Mayor’s Arts Council selects winning logo Award winners in the Manalapan Mayor’s Arts Council logo contest show their creative ideas and accept gift certificates during a presentation at Best Buy, Manalapan. Annie Doong (r) created the logo that judges selected as the winner in the competition. MANALAPAN – Annie Doong, a junior at Marlboro High School, was named the grand-prize winner of the Mayor’s Arts Council Logo Contest and received a $1,000 gift certificate to Best Buy for her creative effort. The Mayor’s Arts Council, which was formed this year, sponsored a contest that was open to all students enrolled in the Freehold Regional High School District. The contest called for entrants to develop a logo that would capture the spirit and essence of the fledgling MAC. Best Buy, Route 9, provided corporate sponsorship for the contest and hosted the selection of the winning entry. Jennifer Teboul earned second-place honors and received a $350 Best Buy gift certificate. Stephanie Favara earned third-place honors and received a $150 Best Buy gift certificate. Honorable mention recognition was awarded to Christie Acquazzino and Max Ross. All five students received a certificate of appreciation and a proclamation from Mayor Drew Shapiro. Shapiro was joined at Best Buy on Nov. 29 by Township Committeeman Andrew Lucas to announce the contest winners. The MAC Logo Contest Task Force was made up of Manalapan residents Judith Drucker, Sandra Lippman, Cheryl Soback and Rene McCallum. MAC Chairman Bruce Brickman said, “The council is a unique organization. Its key active members demonstrate intelligence, creativity and strength of character. Each key member is an experienced leader willing to apply energy, intelligence and creativity to problem solving opportunities. The sole focus of each member is a passion for enhancing our community’s quality of life. This passion for making a difference adds a level of energy rarely found in volunteer organizations — this means ‘we get stuff done!’ ” Brickman said the key to the MAC’s success will be in building relationships with businesses as well as private and government organizations that are de-signed to “proliferate support for displaying creative expression throughout the community.” An example of this combination of arts and business will be seen in events such as the one that was held on Dec. 7 at Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry, Route 9. The Man-alapan Chamber Music Ensemble performed in a MAC holiday event. Also key to the council’s success, according to Brickman, is the “logistical expertise, focus on details and professionalism of Jerry Collincini and his team at the Parks and Recreation Department. Together we have formed a team which respects talent and time commitments; allowing all members to participate at their own comfort level. The council is focused on the beauty and inspiration involved with creative problem solving, whether it be dance, music, poetry or painting, as well as business problem solving through negotiations or facilitative empowerment.” Brickman said the council welcomes new members who are willing to bring in different ideas, new energy and creativity to solving problems. Anyone who is interested in expressing or supporting creative expression is invited to be part of the MAC as a resource or as a member and should contact Jerry Collincini at (732) 446-8355. — Kathy Baratta