Avisual arts student from Red Bank Regional High School took first place Jan. 27 in the Student Art Competition portion of the Monmouth Festival of the Arts held at Monmouth Reform Temple, Tinton Falls.

First-prize winner Abigail Burpee with her mixed-media piece titled "Wisdom." Abigail Burpee, Fair Haven, received top honors for her mixed media piece titled "Wisdom." She was among 61 students from across Monmouth and Ocean counties who participated in the competition, an annual kickoff to the Monmouth Festival of the Arts, which will be held this year April 5-9 at the temple on Hance Avenue.

In second place was Courtney Sanford of Holmdel, a student at St. John Vianney High School, for untitled photography; and third place went to Julia Passafiume, from Wall High School, for a pencil drawing, "In the Backseat."

Honorable mentions were: Oleksandra Barysheva, Matawan; Catherine Figorita, Brick; Theresa Francisco, Marlboro; Andrew Klimas, Wall; Megan Mahon, Shrewsbury; Kristy Siciliano, Wall.

The annual Student Art Competition is a way for the festival to reach out to local high school students and their art teachers.

Julia Passantine placed third with her pencil drawing "In the Backseat." For more information about the Monmouth Festival of the Arts, visit the Web site at www.monmouthfestivalofthearts. com or call (732) 747-8278.