Freehold Township High School Wins County Consumer Bowl

Five Freehold Township High School students were named the winners of the 16th annual Monmouth County Consumer Bowl, a game-show-style competition for teams of high school students.

Students from nine high schools answered consumer-related questions in a multiple choice and open-ended format to test their knowledge of consumer issues, such as Internet fraud and buying and leasing automobiles. The contest was held Monday at the Monmouth County Fire Academy.

The five-member team from Freehold Township High School successfully defended its 2012 Monmouth County Consumer Bowl title against students from Colts Neck, Freehold Borough, Howell, Keansburg, Manalapan, Marlboro, Middletown North and St. John Vianney.

“It’s important that teens understand consumer and business concepts, like credit and identity theft, banking and fraud, marketing and advertising,” said Annmarie Howley, director of the county Department of Consumer Affairs. “Consumer Bowl participants are a step ahead of their peers with their knowledge of consumer issues and are well-prepared to tackle issues in the marketplace.”

The three finalists, Freehold Township High School, Howell Township High School and Manalapan Township High School, were even going into the bonus round, but Freehold Township was quicker on the draw and answered most of the questions correctly. Team members are Samantha Fitzgerald, Samantha Sanchez, Joanne D'Avella, Bethany Mo and Michael Milo. The team's advisor is Daniel Cooper.

The Freehold Township team will move on to the regional competition in April with home field advantage because the competition will be held at the Monmouth County Fire Academy. The winner of the regional competition will go on to compete in the 2013 New Jersey State Consumer Bowl scheduled for May in Trenton.

The New Jersey High School Consumer Bowl is a program of the state Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Consumer Affairs. It was established in 1997 to help students learn about consumer issues that will benefit them throughout their lives.

“The best part about this program is that all of our participating young adults gained some knowledge  about what it takes to help them be smarter consumers and possibly future consumer advocates,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the county’s Department of Consumer Affairs. “It is also a great way to promote the county’s Consumer Affairs office, which enforces consumer laws and helps people who suspect they might be victims of unscrupulous business practices.”

Since the county’s Department of Consumer Affairs was established in 1977, the department has handled more than 50,000 complaints and resolved disputes, resulting in savings to consumers of more than $13 million.