JULY 23-25, 2021

Solberg Airport - Readington, NJ 973 882 5464

Countdown to Festival Fun

 

Until the 2020
 Quick Chek New Jersey
Festival of Ballooning!

 

 

News

MAYFLOWER DESCENDANT, 11, WINS AMERICAN PATRIOT ESSAY CONTEST

BOONTON FIFTH GRADER WINS RIDE IN HOT AIR BALLOON AT SCHOOL
 
BOONTON, NJ --- Peter Clear’s inspiration and connection to the American Flag dates back before there was an American Flag --- or even an America --- as his ancestors came to Plymouth, Mass. on the Mayflower in 1620.  
 
The fifth grade student from John Hill School in Boonton, NJ has been named the Grand Prize winner of the 15th annual PNC Bank “American Patriot Essay Contest,” a statewide competition sponsored by the QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning in Association with PNC Bank in which school children in grades 2 through 12 throughout New Jersey wrote about “What the American Flag Means to Me.”
 
His family’s ancestry --- he is descended from William Brewster on his maternal great-grandmother’s side (Peter’s middle name is Brewster) and on his maternal great-grandfather’s side has ancestors that were on the Speedwell --- and as well as opportunities to raise the American Flag at Fort McHenry provided the inspiration for Peter’s winning essay. 
 
As part of his Grand Prize, the Festival and PNC Bank brought a 75-foot-tall hot air balloon to his school Wednesday, June 20, where he took a tethered ride in the balloon in front of his family, hundreds of classmates, school and board of education officials. 
 
His moving essay was selected the best among the thousands of essays received by a panel of judges comprised of PNC Bank and Balloon Festival staff and educators. The contest was held as part of PNC’s community outreach efforts through its association with the QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning. 
 
Peter also receives a free ride to go up, up and away in one of the 100 hot air balloons at the 36th annual festival, July 27-28-29, in Readington, NJ, along with VIP tickets for his family. Each of his 21 classmates, his teacher, and his school principal receive free tickets to the annual Festival, the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America.
 
“Over the years we’ve had students who were inspired by family members, whether they served in the military or immigrated to this country, but Peter is the first to be inspired by and trace his family roots all the way back to the Mayflower,” said Festival Executive Producer Howard Freeman. “It was extremely heartfelt to see the very personal meaning the flag and his family have to him. His essay best captured the spirit of both the contest and American flag and QuickChek, PNC and the festival are proud to present him with this award.” 
 
“The PNC American Patriot Essay Contest gives students across New Jersey the chance to display their love of country and their skill with words,” said Joe Whall, PNC Senior Vice President and Director of Client & Community Relations. “We are delighted to support the essay contest as part of our overall sponsorship of the QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning in Association with PNC Bank. Talent and patriotism are indeed alive and well in the Garden State.”
 
Nathan Boms, a fourth grade student at Atlantic Highlands Elementary School in Atlantic Highlands, took second place. Daniella Lim from River Dell High School in Oradell was third. They each receive complimentary admission into the Festival, as do all teachers in the state who submitted 15 or more essays on behalf of their students.
 
For additional information on the contest and the QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning in Association with PNC Bank visit www.balloonfestival.com. 
 
###
 
MEDIA CONTACT:
Russ Mensch 
Mensch & Company, Inc.
Public Relations & Event Marketing
phone: 201-797-2448 
 

| Back to index...

Search Archive »





Browse by Month »

January 2021
December 2020
August 2020
June 2020
May 2020
March 2020
February 2020
October 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
October 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
November 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
July 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
July 2013
April 2013
February 2013
January 2013
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
March 2012
February 2012
October 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
December 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
March 2005
February 2005
December 2004