2024 NATIONAL MEDAL
for Museum and Library Service Finalist

Adults

Together in the Dark

We were all together in the dark. Listening with bated breath as the couple fought. We could hear them going at it. It sounded like the end of their world. Finally it came to an end with her storming out and him collapsing into his chair quietly sobbing. We looked at each other and knew it in our hearts. This was the wrong night for a surprise party.

The Divorce

As Cole's fist prepared to strike for the very first time in fifteen years of marriage, Ellen intended to square off against him. She had earned her 1st degree black belt in Aikijujitsu, yet her bowels were turning to water.

She trained in a dojo. He was an active-duty marine scout/sniper in Afghanistan. Memories don't lie ... Aikijujitsu saved her mind. The deeds Cole performed in war's darkened theater ate at his sanity.

Beach Blanket Mystery

The best beach down the shore. Quiet and peaceful. ‘‘Twas a mile walk down a sandy trail to get there, but well worth it. Funny, as I got closer, I realized all the footprints were pointing towards the beach, none coming the other way. Yet the beach was empty. Ahhhhh, whatever!! I’d enjoy the solitude. Just then I turned the last corner and

Still Waters

He was not what I expected. Unassuming...dorky, even. But then he fixed me with those eyes of his, and a sudden surge of primal fight-or-fight instinct reminded me why I had come here in the first place. (What color were his eyes? I couldn't really tell.)

Earth Day

I didn’t know it was Earth Day when I saw the fox furtively cross Cranbury Road beating the oncoming vehicles during my morning jog. Mouth full; was it prey or progeny ? It was happiness!

Security Officer

I’m a licensed Security Officer for Allied Universal, working for a community center. Being a Security Officer is an important job because it helps to keep people safe. I am ready to do any community service and help anyone in need. I assist in emergency services daily, which is a great responsibility. I learned a lot being a security officer here. It is wonderful to see the people I serve day after day.

Be Careful What You Wish for (Because Fae are Sneaky)

A little girl named Isabelle was playing in East Brunswick Woods. She enjoyed skipping along verdant mossy trails and finding tiny froglings in the creek. But soon it became dark and Isabelle realized she was lost. Frightened, she whispered out loud “I wish I was home.” A shimmering fairy appeared and fluttered a silver wand above her head. Isabelle turned into an oak tree, a being very much at home in the woods.

CANCELLED--Chocolate: Is it the New Health Food?

This workshop explores many aspects of the fruit of the Theobroma cacao tree including its place in history, different types of chocolate, how it’s processed and how it has been studied. Research on specific components in cocoa, including flavonoids, have led to a strong body of evidence that cocoa and dark chocolate may provide health benefits that include reductions in blood pressure and total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, prevention of DM2 and stroke reduction.