NEWARK - Linden High School is the State Champion in the Ninth Annual New Jersey Consumer Bowl, a quiz show-style competition that encourages students to become well-informed consumers, Attorney General Peter C. Harvey and Acting Consumer Affairs Director Kimberly Ricketts announced today.

This year, 55 schools representing 18 counties competed in the program. Similar in format to the classic television game shows "It's Academic" and "College Bowl," the New Jersey Consumer Bowl pits teams of high school students against each other, first in county competitions and then in regional events.

The three regional winners representing northern, central and southern New Jersey met today in the state final, which was held in the New Jersey State House Annex in Trenton. Nutley High School from Essex County took second place and Pemberton Township High School from Burlington County came in third. The competitions began in January.

"Today's championship competition shows how education has practical applications in everyday life," Acting Governor Richard J. Codey said. "I commend all these students for their hard work and dedication."

Consumer Bowl topics included banking, credit, telemarketing, home repair, identity theft and automotive issues. Today's judges included Kevin DeMarrais, consumer affairs reporter for The Record newspaper.

"Knowledge is power, and all these students have demonstrated that they are well prepared to step into the marketplace," said Attorney General Harvey. "The preparation they put into this year's Consumer Bowl competition will serve them well in the years to come as they buy services and products."

"These students know our consumer protection laws and they know their rights," Acting Director Ricketts said. "The Consumer Bowl is part of our ongoing effort to educate and inform New Jersey's residents."

In winning the Consumer Bowl, Linden High School received the Millicent Fenwick Trophy and each team member received a gold medal and a $100 U.S. Savings Bond. The members of the Nutley High School team each received a silver medal and a $75 U.S. Savings Bond. Pemberton Township High School team members each received a bronze medal and a $50 U.S. Savings Bond.

Any high school wishing to participate in the 2006 Consumer Bowl may call Loretta Creggett, Outreach Coordinator for the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, at 973-504-6576.

###