Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division on Civil Rights (DCR) held a ceremony to announce the winners of the second annual No Hate in the Garden State Youth Competition yesterday. The competition for middle and high school students was organized by DCR in partnership with the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) as part of the statewide No Hate in the Garden State public awareness campaign to eliminate bias and discrimination in New Jersey.
Twenty-eight groups, comprised of 179 students in total, competed on either middle school or high school teams to address the bias they witness or experience.
“New Jersey has made a commitment to ensuring our young people can exercise their right to education safely, and that includes letting them lead in the fight against bias in schools,” said Attorney General Davenport. “The extraordinary students who participated in the No Hate in the Garden State Youth Competition are turning the tide towards a more promising future. I am inspired by their work, and it is my pleasure to honor them.”
“Our young people deserve to learn in an environment where they are safe from biased-based harassment or discrimination. But in New Jersey, bias incidents are more likely to be reported in a school than in any other setting,” said Yolanda N. Melville, Director of the Division on Civil Rights. “The young people who competed in the No Hate in the Garden State Youth Competition took the initiative to begin creating change. These students are passionate about inclusion and dedicated to creating a better future for New Jersey.”
Participating students approached the fight against bias from various angles. From poetry slams centered on the effects of inclusion and discrimination, to facilitating peer education using empirical data, student leaders worked to understand some of the roots of bias and developed ways to intervene.
The winners of the No Hate in the Garden State Youth Competition in the High School category are:
First Place: New Milford High School – Unified Pathways
New Milford High School created Unified Pathways to promote inclusion and understanding between neurotypical students and students with disabilities, particularly those with autism and individualized education plans (IEPs). This initiative aimed to normalize neurodiversity and create meaningful connections among students. Throughout the school year, Unified Pathways hosted five events focused on community and belonging.
Second Place: Bergen County Technical School – No Matter What We Stand United
Students at Bergen County Technical School focused on educating students about the complexity of bias and discrimination. Students collected over 80 verified examples of bias and analyzed how different forms of discrimination manifest in everyday life. They also developed action plans to help people identify bias, respond effectively, and support those targeted by discrimination. By examining patterns rather than isolated incidents, the project encouraged a deeper understanding of prejudice.
Third Place: Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) – NJ GSA Union
The Rumson-Fair Haven GSA created a statewide digital platform designed to connect LGBTQ+ student organizations and provide resources, communication tools, and mentorship opportunities. The website included public pages featuring event listings, news updates, initiative descriptions, and registration forms, as well as members-only spaces for networking, peer tutoring, and collaboration between clubs. The platform also included resources from organizations such as GLSEN, PFLAG, and The Trevor Project to support LGBTQ+ students.
The winners of the No Hate in the Garden State Youth Competition in the Middle School category are:
First Place: Benjamin Franklin Middle School, Teaneck – Poetry Slam
Teaneck BFMS created a poetry slam event to encourage students to express their thoughts about discrimination, inclusion, diversity, and acceptance through creative arts. Organized by the student council, the event invited students to submit original poems, songs, and art pieces inspired by the “No Hate in the Garden State” initiative. The project aimed to empower middle school students by showing them that their voices matter and can help build a more inclusive community.
Second Place: Timberlane Middle School, Pennington – TMS Restorative Circle
The TMS Restorative Circle project aimed to reduce division and negativity within the school by promoting kindness, inclusion, and “upstander” behavior among students. To address this, students launched several peer-led initiatives, including a “No Hate” poster contest, lunchtime activities, restorative circle skits, and conversations focused on creating a hate-free school environment.
Third Place: Freehold Borough Celebrates Community
Freehold Borough’s project focused on promoting inclusivity and celebrating cultural diversity throughout the school community. The initiative – which targeted students in grades K–8, as well as families and staff – included cultural announcements, informative posters, student presentations, and a district-wide Multicultural Night celebration. Over several months, students learned about countries, traditions, and customs from around the world while preparing displays, performances, and food presentations. The event featured 16 cultural exhibits representing countries from across the globe.
The No Hate in the Garden State initiative is aimed at reversing the rise in bias incidents and crimes across New Jersey and encouraging increased reporting of bias incidents. The Youth Competition was developed by Kai Durant, Community Relations Specialist, under the direction of Patricia Williamson, DCR Director of Outreach and Community Relations.
The New Jersey Division on Civil Rights (DCR) works to prevent, eliminate, and remedy discrimination and bias-based harassment in employment, housing, and places of public accommodation throughout New Jersey. DCR enforces the Law Against Discrimination, the New Jersey Family Leave Act, and the Fair Chance in Housing Act.
To find out more information or to file a complaint, go to www.njcivilrights.gov. To learn more about the youth competition and DCR’s Youth Ambassador Program, email CommunityRelations@njcivilrights.gov.
