Grand Prize Winners Announced

More than 1,500 votes were cast in Star News Group’s second Spooktacular Halloween Photo Contest, and the winners were clear.

For the second year in a row, Hannah Whitcomb, 8, of Spring Lake, won the children’s category, with 48 percent of the vote.

Hannah’s innovative gnome costume captured 132 of the 275 votes cast in the children’s category. The photo of Hannah dressed in her costume, submitted by Hannah’s mother, Kerry Whitcomb, earned Hannah a $50 gift certificate to Quinderella’s Toys, in Manasquan.

A dynamic duo took the adult category. Kimberly Clayton, 20, and Alex Otchy, 20, both Manasquan residents and students at Virginia Tech, dressed as the popular Transformers characters Bumble Bee and Optimus Prime for Halloween this year.

Finally, Chelsea, a tough little Yorkshire terrier from Point Pleasant Beach who dressed as “Jaws” for Halloween, took the pet category, with 51 percent of the vote, or 275 of the 538 votes cast in that category.

Chelsea’s proud owner, Sam Palumbo, submitted the winning photo, which earned Chelsea a $25 gift certificate to B.C. Woof, in Manasquan.

2nd Annual Halloween Costume Photo Contest Finalists

Congratulations to our 2nd Annual Halloween Photo Contest Finalists. Please vote for your favorites today! (Please, only one vote per person). Voting will end Tuesday, November 17 at 5 p.m.

The winner in each category will win the following Grand Prizes:

Pets - $50 Gift Certificate for BC Woof, in Manasquan

Kids - $50 Gift Certificate for Quinnderella’s Toys in Manasquan

Adults - $100 Gift Certificate to the restaurant of choice that advertises with The Coast Star or The Ocean Star

Riley Herzog is a sweet St. Catherine Girl. Submitted by Caitlin of Sea Girt.

Chelsea Palumbo is downright frightening as JAWS. Submitted by Sam Palumbo from Point Beach.

Rufus, an Australian Labradoodle, is a witch with a broom. Rufus is a therapy dog from Mantoloking who loves to get dressed up and have his photo taken. Submitted by Beverly Wenrich.

Lady Gaga VMA outfit, modeled here by Amy Agoliaiti, 17, of Manasquan. Amy attends MHS. Submitted by her mother, Gail Lagomarsino.

What's for dinner? ME! The Girl with her Head in the Table, Mia Roccesano, 8, of Spring Lake, looks appetizing - if you're a zombie. Mia attends H.W. Mountz. Submitted by her mom, Susan.

This Gnome on a Mushroom is Hannah Whitcomb, 8, of Spring Lake. Submitted by her mom, Kerry Whitcomb.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.

Submitted by Maria Hines.

Teachers from the Allenwood School - Jeff Allen, Maria Hines, Cally Jakuc, Jeanette Schill, Kristine Kuczko, Diane Preston, Susan Feeley, & Bobby Trojan.

Sweatin' to the Oldies. This Workout Couple is ready to pump you up. Submitted by Martha Terry. Pictured are Martha (left) and Martin Terry of Wall.

Transformers. Submitted by Kim Clayton.

Alex Otchy, 20, Optimus Prime & Kimberly Clayton, 20, Bumble Bee. Both Alex and Kim attend Virginia Tech and are residents of Manasquan.

Weekly Random Drawing Winner

This week's random drawing winner is Culli Pringle, 14, of Belmar, who dressed up as a Facebook wall comment.

The Manasquan High School freshman wins a family four-pack of passes to Jenkinson's Aquarium in Point Pleasant Beach. Congratulations Culli!

Be sure to get your photos in to contest@starnewsgroup.com by this Friday if you want to be considered in this year's Halloween Photo Contest.