Karshmer Coin Design Winner!
The coin design created by Highlands resident Russell Karshmer,the son of Gary and Jill Karshmer, has been selected to be on the reverse side of the official USS New Jersey (SSN796) Commissioning coin.
The announcement was made by Julianne Dods, a trustee on the Submarine’s Commissioning committee in a letter to the teenager and to MAST, the Marine Academy of Science and Technology, where he is a junior.
Karshmer’s award coin design was selected by the Commission from more than 300 designs submitted by high school students from throughout New Jersey. He was one of four students from MAST who submitted unique designs representative of the soon-to-be commissioned submarine and the state for which it is named.
The coin design depicts the view from Mount Mitchill, recognizing it as the highest point on the Eastern seaboard. From that vantage point, he portrays the Eastern Goldfinch, the state bird of New Jersey, perched atop a branch of the state tree, the Red Oak, and holding the state flower, the Violet, in its beak. The bird is observing the approach of the USS New Jersey (SSN 796) into Naval Weapons Station Earle in Leonardo for her commissioning. In the background, the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the oldest operating lighthouse in the United States, illuminates the newest submarine to join the fleet from her post in historic Fort Hancock, a former U.S. Army Base.
Other design considerations are the three oak leaves, three acorns, and three piers at Earle, symbolizing that USS New Jersey is the third warship to bear the name USS New Jersey, and New Jersey being the third state to join the Union.
The colors of the water and sand illustrate the official state colors of Jersey Blue and Buff respectively and the banner outlines the location and date of the USS New Jersey’s commissioning in April, 2024.
In congratulating Karshmer for his creativity and drive in taking the effort to enter the tough design competition, Commander Tracie Smith-Yeoman United States Navy (ret), Senior Naval Instructor at MAST, also commended the three other MAST students who created designs for entry in the state-wide competition. “These cadets all went above and beyond what is required of them as MAST students, all of whom are in the NJROTC program. Once again, they have given MAST another opportunity to be so proud of what they achieve.”
We’re just over the moon!” said Mrs. Karshmer, when her son called her from MAST to let her know of the award. We’ knew he did well, but we are so proud of him and what he designed.”
The family moved to Highlands from Jersey City, and Russell went to MAST primarily for the marine science program. “But when he attended his first Naval Science class, he knew he wanted to serve the nation.” Russell is looking to join the Coast Guard and will apply for scholarships to all of the military academies
What an incredible work of art, each element had a significance. Yes we can be extremely proud of this young man’s accomplishment-talent and creativity. -is there any way we can get a copy?
Congratulations!
I will write another story when they release the details of how to get one
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