By Noah Vogel
New Jersey is my home state. I was born, grew up, and go to school here. I’ve made many friends over the years between school, Boy Scouts, and sports. The location of New Jersey is ideal for all the activities I like to do. Not to mention the biannual edition of Weird NJ.
I love New Jersey because of the vast range of people that make it up. I have friends with ethnic backgrounds from all over the world. They teach me about their culture and traditions. Everything from the foods and holidays to the way you should wear your clothes I have learned from my friends.
There is a wide variety of food institutions in this state. If you want to have an amazing hot dog you can drive to Rutts Hut. This is one of the most famous hot dog places on the east coast. Then there is the fact that I can eat Chinese food one night and fine Italian the next. I guess this is true in about any state, but the one Chinese food restaurant by us is amazing.
In all seriousness though, I truly love New Jersey because of the wilderness. Being a Boy Scout, I like to camp out. I am always willing to rough it out outside in negative degree temperature, which I have done on a few occasions. I love to go hiking in the woods with my Troop and with family. I live parallel to a Green Acres reserve so I can always take a short hike after school or on the weekends. I also have gone bird watching with my uncle on some occasions. He is a bird enthusiast and knows where all the best spots are to catch a glimpse of a rare bird. To me New Jersey has the most beautiful collection of outdoor scenery in the United States. Apart from the woods and mountains, there are beaches and lakes. They are great for swimming, relaxing, and fishing. I have been in many fishing contests and even came in second place in the junior bracket and won a lot of cool lures and hooks. Between the Jersey shore and the many public lakes there is always a source of water to venture to. Since I love the water, I was on the local swim team for six years where I made a lot of friends from other towns. The other sports programs offered by New Jersey towns are just amazing. Each season there is a different variety of sports programs offered by the PAL and Boys Club associations. There is football, lacrosse, hockey, soccer, baseball and many more. You make all sorts of new friends and rivals in every sport you play.
Throughout my life I have traveled to all parts of New Jersey. I’ve been to Cape May, Atlantic City, High Point, the Pine Barrens, and Bayonne. I have been to the Rutherford street fair every year of my life. I have seen a concert at the Izod Centre and I will never forget the raw power that was emitted during it. There is also the weekend flea markets were you can find just about anything at either a decent or ridiculous price. I also have visited the most eastern point of attraction in New Jersey, the Statue of Liberty. So at some point I have been to all the corners of New Jersey. I love to travel and one day I hope to travel the world, though I do not know how the world measures up compared to New Jersey. The attractions and features contained in New Jersey are just so abundant it is unbelievable.
All the cultures, opportunities, and features are unique to be all in one small area. If you get right down to it, New Jersey is the place I want to be. I think that if anyone moved to America and had no idea as where to live I would say New Jersey. Anyone can get a strong hold here and make a successful life.
Way to use those 6-traits of writing Noah! You made GW Middle School proud. Congratulations on winning first place!
Posted by: Miss Facciolla | March 31, 2008 at 07:22 PM
Great job. Looks like a winner to me. jd
Posted by: jimmy d. | March 14, 2008 at 04:51 PM
well done N.J. I mean Noah John. You got my vote.
Posted by: Uncle Griff | March 06, 2008 at 10:06 PM
Your essay is amazing. You are very fortunate to live in such a wonderful state with so many opportunities.
Posted by: aunt carol | March 06, 2008 at 09:28 PM
GReat job!! YOu will definetly win!!
Posted by: amanda mezzadri | March 05, 2008 at 07:53 PM
urs is soooooo good. its just as good as pie
Posted by: hope | March 04, 2008 at 07:40 AM
ur a great writer
Posted by: andrea | March 04, 2008 at 07:38 AM
ur a great writer
Posted by: andrea | March 04, 2008 at 07:37 AM
luv luv luv luv it
Posted by: kelly | March 04, 2008 at 07:36 AM
it was great i read it over like 6 times. it will never get old. :)
Posted by: juno | March 04, 2008 at 07:35 AM
hope u win urs is overall the best
Posted by: carl | March 04, 2008 at 07:33 AM
great job its so super fantabulus
Posted by: SKV | March 04, 2008 at 07:32 AM
i hope you are voted #1. your eassay is surely the best.
Posted by: dave | March 03, 2008 at 09:29 PM
i hope you win
Posted by: SKV | March 03, 2008 at 09:12 PM
NJ sounds like a great place to live or even go to on vacation. Great essay!!
Posted by: Patty | March 02, 2008 at 10:37 PM
MMMM Rutts Hutt!! I could definitly go for a hot dog after reading your article.
Posted by: Chris | March 02, 2008 at 10:35 PM
New Jersey is a fun place to visit and hopefully everyone who reads this article will notice that too. Great story!!
Posted by: Rachael | March 02, 2008 at 10:33 PM
This story makes me want to get in my car and drive to NJ right now!!
Posted by: Amanda | March 02, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Way to go Noah! Great job! I Love New Jersey!
Posted by: GB WI | March 01, 2008 at 02:17 PM
Reading your essay tell's me that you are very proud to be from NJ. Take advantage of everything that NJ's great outdoors has to offer you. Memories will be made that will last a lifetime.
Posted by: W.Gater | March 01, 2008 at 02:09 PM
Great essay. I especially enjoyed reading about the fishing and varied food opportunities in NJ.
Posted by: Gene B. | March 01, 2008 at 01:52 PM
Noah, your writing skills are excellant. My company is looking for a young writer like you so they can let me retire.
Posted by: Wally | March 01, 2008 at 01:38 PM
nj sounds like a cool place to live and travel in.
Posted by: Nike | February 29, 2008 at 10:48 PM
you did a great job writing. i would love to visit nj.
Posted by: emily | February 28, 2008 at 11:59 PM
i know you will win
Posted by: Nicole | February 28, 2008 at 04:24 PM