High Tech Attends The Merchant of Venice at the Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey

(Madison, NJ—June 1, 2017) the HCST Foundation treated 120 High Tech juniors to a live performance of the Bard’s The Merchant of Venice at the Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High school.

Students in Kerri Ann Murphy’s European Literature courses had just finished reading the play and wanted to experience the Bard’s play in a live setting.  The Merchant of Venice, one of Shakespeare’s problem plays, provokes audiences to reflect upon timeless themes relevant to young people’s lives, such as gender roles and expectations and conflicts between loyalty to ourselves versus loyalty to our friends, parents and romantic partners.  Most importantly, the play shines a light on anti-Semitism and racial prejudice, and raises questions about how we treat outsiders, questions particularly relevant to teenagers.

The play’s setting has been transformed into the early 20^th century.  Students reflected on this production’s interpretation of the Christian characters’ treatment of Shylock and other Jewish characters in the play, and they thought critically about Venice’s anti-Semitic society, which places a high value on monetary contracts that shapes Shylock’s villainy.

“I was incredibly proud of my students and impressed with their level of engagement with the play, their ability to pick up on and respond to its humor and the depth of their questions during the talkback session,” says Murphy, a veteran Language Arts instructor. 

Students pondered the actors’ interpretations of many of the complex relationship dynamics in the play, and how the cast and director approached the challenge of presenting the anti-Semitism in the play to a modern audience.  

“I’m grateful to the foundation for understanding the educational value of this trip and for making this experience possible for such a large number of students,” adds Murphy.

High Tech Receives Certificate of Recognition for Its Performance in Shakespeare: NJ

(Madison, NJ—April 27, 2017) Judges at the Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey have awarded High Tech High School a Certificate of Recognition for its participation in the theater’s annual festival, Shakespeare: NJ, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High school.

Students in Kerri Ann Murphy’s Shakespeare course also received commendations for interpreting one of the Bard’s most complex plays, Measure for Measure, and cleverly conveying the emotional depth and complexity inherent in this Jacobean comedy.  Considered a “problem play” due to its dark elements, Measure for Measure examines the theme of merciful justice while exploring the fine line between vice and virtue.

High Tech junior Amirah Johnson of Jersey City received an Excellence in Acting certificate for her moving performance of the play’s heroine, Isabella.  For his comedic portrayal of Lucio, Secaucus resident Sebastian Martinez earned the Silly Sinner certificate.  Last but not least, in a last-minute turn as the Provost, Tige Anderson of Hoboken received recognized as the 11^th Hour Hero.  For depicting Angelo’s internal conflict, West New York resident Ambar Grullon earned a Lascivious Logic certificate.

“When performing Shakespeare, I’m able to link his timeless plays to adolescence,” says Grullon, who participated in last year’s festival as well, “and which adolescence hasn’t felt like an outcast?”

The HCST Foundation, once more, provided a generous grant to make High Tech’s participation in this year’s Shakespeare: NJ possible.

Sponsored in part by the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, Shakespeare: NJ brings together high school and elementary students from all over the Garden State to celebrate the Bard’s work.  The festival encourages students to explore the richness of Shakespeare’s language through performance.  Not a competition, the festival simply gathers students together to delight in each other’s Shakespearean performances.

County Prep teacher Michael Grele Chosen as Cisco Instructor for 2017 NBA Draft Cisco Network Academy “Dream Team”

Top students from the United States and Canada are named to the “Dream Team” – and given the chance to gain real-world experience setting up massive networks at high-profile events like the NBA Draft. Dream Team members gain hands-on experience working under the direction of professional networking engineers. Students are nominated to the Dream Team by their Networking Academy instructors. This Dream Team included two students and one instructor and assisted the NBA IT staff in different areas. Prior to the event, they set up wireless access points, switches and internet telephones in the conference center and nearby hotels. Then they provided help desk support and network troubleshooting during the event.

“This is a wonderful professional experience” said Mr. Grele, “The Dream Team gives a company's employees an opportunity to mentor students and offer valuable learning opportunities. I am proud to have been selected to be the instructor for this project and work alongside engineers giving the students a chance to learn the behind-the-scenes workings for the event”.

County Prep’s Cisco Networking Academy develops the skills students need to thrive in a digital economy and prepares students for entry-level IT jobs, with extensive online learning resources as well as state of the art lab equipment for a hands-on practical learning experience.

Jeremy Lewan of High Tech High School Has Weather Camp Video Diary Featured on Weather Channel

(Atlanta, GA—June 10, 2017) Bayonne resident Jeremy Lewan, a junior at High Tech High School, had his Weather Camp Video Diary featured on a weekend episode of America’s Morning Headquarters (AMHQ) on the Weather Channel, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High school.

Lewan, recipient of an HCST Foundation grant of $1,000, had attended Penn State’s Advanced Weather Camp last summer, where he made a video of his meteorological-media experience.

AMHQ meteorologists Reynolds Wolf and Kelly Cass interviewed Bill Syrett, manager of Penn State’s Advanced Weather Camp.  They asked Syrett questions about various aspects of the camp.  Throughout his interview, clips of Lewan’s video diary aired.

The video of the interview can be viewed at the following link:

 https://weloveweather.tv/video/interested-meteorology-attend-summer-camp/

At Weather Camp, Lewan had received hands-on training in meteorological science, including forecasting, creating a TV weathercast, reading and analyzing weather charts, launching a weather balloon, and even simulating a hurricane.  Lewan and his peers at the Advanced Weather Camp also learned scientific methods while exploring various aspects of the atmosphere, as well as analyzing surface weather maps.

County Prep Dance Awards and Year In Review

The County Prep Dance Program celebrated the end of the 2016-2017 school year with recognition from the arts and dance education community.

Senior Tamir Rios was one of 5 dancers in the State of NJ to be given the Governor's Award in Dance Arts.  Tamir performed alongside other remarkable teen artists in the state Gala at the Trenton War Memorial on May 24th.  County Prep Dance Instructor had this to say, "Tamir's exceptional talent and commitment to this art form have brought attention and admiration to our program.  I am grateful to have had the chance to work with such a skilled young dancer, and am so proud of Tamir's growth and accomplishments over his 4 years here."  Tamir will begin his major in dance at Montclair State University this fall.

After winning Top Honors at the Hudson County Teen Arts Festival in March, the senior dance class accepted the invitation to the State Teen Arts Festival on May 31.  The group of 6 performed 'And That's Within', which included live percussion accompaniment performed by the dancers themselves.  This work was created collaboratively with international drummer Ravish Momin.

Read about the dance program's full year of activities here: Dance Year in Review

Ms. Torres' County Prep Students Visit Explore 2000

County Prep students enrolled in Ms. Torres' Education Workplace Experience course visited Explore 2000 on Wednesday, May 24th to deliver student-created lesson plans on SPACE.  Ms. Torres and her students worked diligently on these lessons in preparation for this "student teaching" experience.  County Prep students received a warm welcome from the staff and students at Explore 2000.  The day was filled with student engagement activities and numerous opportunities for our students to "test drive" a career in education.  A special thank-you is extended to Ms. Amy Lin-Rodriguez, Ms. Vincenza Tripodi for coordinating the event, and all the staff members at Explore 2000.

County Prep Students Shadow Teachers at Local Learning Center

County Prep students enrolled in Ms. Bello's Early Childhood/Social Development courses visited Kiddie Academy and Starting Points Early Learning Center on Wednesday, June 7, 2017.   The students shadowed teachers at Kiddie Academy to get a glimpse of the day-to-day operations of a day care center.  According to the students, this SLE was totally "awesome."  In addition, the students immersed themselves in a professional Child Development Associate (CDA) class at Starting Points to explore this as a potential career pathway.  The two events will help the students make post-secondary career decisions and complemented classroom instruction.

County Prep Junior Matthew Riccardi Represents Hudson County at the State Teen Arts Festival

On May 31^st, 2017, County Prep Junior Matthew Riccardi represented Hudson County at the State Teen Arts Festival, which took place at Ocean County College.  At this festival, the highest award recipients from all New Jersey Counties were invited. All theatre awardees performed, received feedback and took workshops with theatre professionals.

Matthew had officially received The Judge’s Award on May 23^rd at NJCU, for his rendition of a Benvolio monologue from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. He had participated in the Teen Arts Competition, in the Small Group Drama Category.

Ms. Shields is very proud of Matthew who had wowed the judges with his understanding of the text and the honesty of his performance.

Three High Tech Students Compete at iPlay America Science Fair

(Freehold, NJ—June 11, 2017) High Tech’s Shreyas Agarwal of Secaucus and North Bergen residents Jeel Shah and Tanushri Shah competed at the iPlay America Science Fair, presented by Amboy Bank, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

Students—divided into the categories grades 3-5, grades 6-8, and grades 9-12—from all over New Jersey and New York City participated in the competition,  All High Tech competitors earned recognition for their project and a winning position in the category for 9-12 graders.

Jeel Shah and Tanushri Shah earned a first place trophy, a $1,000 check, and a $500 gift card for iPlay America for their research project, “the Effects of Cellular Radiation on the Behavior of Apis Mellifera.”  Their research supported the theory that the radiation emitted from cell phones can negatively impact honey bee populations, and they provided a convenient solution to reduce the decline and overcome the effects of cellular radiation.

Meanwhile, Agarwal received third place for his research on wireless energy.  For his winning position, iPlay presented him with a trophy, a $200 check and $100 gift card redeemable at iPlay America, too.  His project, “Development of a Wireless and Continuous Energy Source for Mobile Use,” explored the practicality of obtaining energy from wireless sources, most specifically, radio waves. The radio waves, captured from a wireless router using an antenna, emits energy to charge a capacitor.  Using the measurements, Agarwal measured the voltage and calculated the energy and power produced.  However, the energy proved less than efficient, but with further testing and modifications, the concept of capturing “free” energy may one day become practical and revolutionize future technological innovations.

Twelve High Tech Students Inducted into National Japanese Honor Society

(North Bergen—June 8, 2017) Twelve students from sensei Akemi Dobkin’s Japanese classes have been named this year’s inductees into the High Tech Japanese National Honor Society (JNHS), announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech.

The following students have received this honor: Russell Schmitt, Natalie Skibniewski, and Hannah Tan of Bayonne; Harrison residents Justin Cai and Andy Chae; Genesis Cevallos and Diana Concepcion of North Bergen; Secaucus residents Phoebe Chang and Jay Jasty; Alma Rojas and Rebecca Roses of West New York; and Weehawken resident Eleanore Woodruff.

JNHS recognizes and encourages academic achievement and excellence in Japanese study, unites teachers and administration in developing and maintaining high standards of Japanese language education, and promotes altruistic conduct. In order to qualify for JNHS, students must maintain a B+ and above average in Japanese Language class and a B in their other classes.

“The inductees are hardworking students who have earned this honor by themselves,” says sensei Dobkin.  “I believe that they will continue to make an effort to succeed beyond the Japanese program.”

High Tech Auto Tech Majors Go Behind the Scenes at Metlife's Monster Jam Event

Please see News 12 New Jersey's coverage of High Tech Auto Tech majors and behind the scenes at Metlife's Monster Jam Event:

http://mms.tveyes.com/MediaCenterPlayer.aspx?u=aHR0cDovL21lZGlhY2VudGVyLnR2ZXllcy5jb20vZG93bmxvYWRnYXRld2F5LmFzcHg%2FVXNlcklEPTI4ODI5NSZNRElEPTgyNDM4NzgmTURTZWVkPTg0NiZUeXBlPU1lZGlh

Halal Food for Muslim Students at HCST

Mr. Gerald Lyons, the director of food services in our school district, including County Prep, High Tech, and Explore 2000, received input from a group of Muslim students regarding the lack of availability of halal food.  County Prep principal, Ms. Barbara Mendolla, responded to our request favorably.  For Muslim students in the Hudson County Schools of Technology, it is considered a milestone to have halal food  available in our school district.  County Prep happens to already be a very welcoming environment for students from all parts of the world, but the inclusion of halal meat expands the idea of such an environment even further.

On behalf of the Middle Eastern Cultural Club moderator, Dr. Syed Abbasi, and all the Muslim students of Hudson County Schools of Technology, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to our principal, Ms. Barbara Mendolla, food services director, Mr. Gerald Lyons, and the board of directors of the Hudson County Schools of Technology for sincerely listening to our concern and taking action. This breakthrough has enhanced County Prep, High Tech, and Explore 2000 even further as places for students of all ethnicities and religions to feel a sense of comfort. The HCST administration proved yet again that students’ genuine concerns will never go unnoticed. -  By: Burhan Zaman

High Tech Architecture Studio and Wood Technology Majors Collaborate to Design and Build Bookshelf

(North Bergen—June 15, 2017) The senior Architecture Studio and Wood Technology majors from High Tech High School designed a bookshelf as their group senior project by employing various state-of-the-art digital modeling software, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech.

The unique digital modeling software included Rhino, 123D-Make, and AutoCAD.

Once the Architecture Studio majors completed the technical drawings, the High Tech Wood Technology students took over.  They used the CAM software V-Carve to create tool paths and G-code (for computer-aided manufacturing to manipulate automated machine tools) that the CNC (computer numerical control) router, a computer-responsive cutting machine for use on wood, composites, aluminum, steel, plastics, and foams, requires for accuracy in cutting out the structure's components.

The Architecture Studio and Wood Technology majors worked together to cut out and label the 3/4” thick plywood pieces in order to assemble the 8ft x 8ft x 8ft bookshelf. 

High Tech French Honor Society Holds This Year’s Induction Ceremony

(North Bergen, NJ―June 13, 2017) Once more, the High Tech High School French Honor Society (FHS) held its annual induction ceremony, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech.

The following students have been inducted into FHS: Hoboken resident Sophia Baldassari Sylvia Goldfond and Andrew Tran of Kearny, and North Bergen residents Sarah Bacha and Diana Concepcion.

Additionally, FHS held its elections.  Bar Yifrakh of Hoboken has been elected President and Jersey City resident Andrea De Leon will become Vice President.  Tran and Laiba Khan of Jersey City will become the new editors for the French Newsletter published every marking period.

During the ceremony, the seniors in FHS baked crêpes for everyone. They also received their FHS chords and tassels for graduation.

FHS and the French Club seek to spread the significance of French culture throughout High Tech High School. Crêpe sales, French showcase, Broadway shows, and movie nights serve as examples of the many activities that FHS and the French Club have offered to express the beauty of French culture to the High Tech family.

County Prep Theater Arts Performs Summer And Smoke by Tennessee Williams

      In just its fifth year, County Prep Theatre Arts class has brought a new performance opportunity to County Prep students, who are learning both performance and rehearsal practices, and are encountering first hand all of the aspects of professional theater. The show was designed by our professional lighting designer, Mr. Lance Michel, was directed by Ms. Shields, and was assisted by Ms. Singer.

    Summer and Smoke is one of the more biographical and perhaps less known plays by the amazing American playwright Tennessee Williams, and is one of the plays County Prep students read in class in their Sophomore year. Its main theme is the love that nearly happens between Alma and John, two young people who, like two passing ships meet briefly and then go their separate ways. Yet, for that short time we get a glimpse into their individual longing.

     The play focuses on the unmarried minister's daughter, Alma Winemiller, played by Senior Kailyn Segovia Vazquez, and the romance that almost blossoms between her and the wild, undisciplined young doctor who grew up next door, John Buchanan Jr, played by Senior Adam Hassan. Alma is refined, spiritual and the epitome of modesty; whereas Buchanan, a doctor, is a sensualist who defies her with the soulless anatomy chart. By the end of the play, the two characters do change though, and seem to trade places.

     The cast also included Seniors Nyzira Lynn, and Jennifer Soderstrom, Juniors Kyle Velazquez, Matthew Riccardi, Julio Velazquez, Humberto Andujar, Terrell Wehner, Justin Cuevas, Katherine Castro, Quinton Cassillas, Sophomore Sirena Morales, and Freshmen Yvelisse Vargas and Miriam Martinez. This production was overall an ensemble piece, where each performer was involved at all times, either on stage in numerous group numbers and scenes, or backstage preparing the set, props, costumes, and program. Special recognition also goes to our stage manager and lighting technician Alexis Medel, sound technician, Delana Ramos and our backstage crew : Laura Revell, Katerina Kostadinas and Dynajah Smith.

            Ms. Shields is very proud of all of the cast and crew whose work has developed through our rendition of this American classic.

High Tech's Vibha Chauhan and Samantha Danette Martinez-Mendoza among Those Receiving Scholarship from Hackensack Meridian Health Palisades Medical Center

from Hudson Reporter

(North Bergen--May 22, 2017) Palisades Medical Center--affiliated with the Hackensack University Health Network--announced the winners of its annual $32,000 Merit Scholarship program in a press release Friday.

Two graduating seniors each from eight high schools near the hospital earned $2,000 in scholarship money.

The winners and their families dined with community leaders and hospital executives at West New York's Son Cubano restaurant.

From Hudson County high schools, the winners are:

High Tech High School: Vibha Chauhan, Samantha Danette Martinez-Mendoza

Hoboken Charter School: Moroni B. Aranda, Gabrielle Michael

Hoboken High School: Kaylah Fermaint, Edward Lepre

Memorial High School: Piero Manrique, Karla Somoano

North Bergen High School: Yisel Breton, Liscary Pacheco

Union City High School: Jasmine Acuna, Michelle Sinning

"We are delighted to provide scholarship support to these amazing young men and women who have all shown a tremendous commitment to the importance of civic engagement and giving back to our local communities," said Bruce J. Markowitz, president of Hackensack Meridian Health Palisades Medical Center, in the release. "We know that paying for college can be challenging and we hope that this Community Service Merit Scholarship will help lessen the burden for the deserving recipients."

County Prep Alumna Alexia Velazquez Won the Foxy Award for Outstanding Performance

Mrs. Shields is very excited to announce that our 2016 production of Ondine, by Jean Giraudoux, has brought home one Foxy award this year. Our production has received nominations for Outstanding Achievement for an Acting Ensemble of a Classic Play, and three Outstanding Performance Nominations for Senior Adam Hassan (Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor in a Classic Play), recent graduate Alexia Velazquez (Outstanding Performance by a Leading Actress in a Classic Play), recent graduate Jose Lupianez (Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Classic Play).

During the Award ceremony during the Theatre Night Awards on May 15th, 2017 at Montclair State University, we found out the results of the competition. Alexia Velazquez won the Foxy Award for Outstanding performance by a Lead Actress in a Classic Play. Alumnus Ryan Wares, received the award for her, as she was rehearsing at New York Film Academy, the school she is currently attending for her end of the year showcase.

This program has been established in 2009 by Montclair State University Theatre and Dance Department professor Susan Kerner and Mahwah High School teacher JoAnne Fox. They conceived the event to provide a balance for the popularity of the high school musical and its celebration at well-established awards ceremonies in New Jersey and the region.

This competition is open to all secondary schools in the state of NJ, and only to straight play production. The event is a positive educationally based community building experience.  Students are able to share their work with other students and to be recognized outside their own high schools.  This outside recognition has direct benefits for students and teachers in districts throughout the state.

High Tech Science Majors Attend YSAP’s 29th Annual Awards & Student Symposium

by Andrew Tran

(Bedminster, NJ―June 7, 2017) At the AT&T Global Network Operations Center, High Tech science majors presented their research for the Young Science Achievers Program (YSAP) symposium, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech.

Earlier this year, students submitted proposals to the YSAP Foundation for a chance to receive grants to conduct their research projects, and all the High Tech students who attended the event received grants. Students’ poster boards piqued interest and allowed students to practice their communications and presentation skills. Also, guests had an opportunity to tour the center, where a docent described the day-to-day activities at the AT&T Global Network Operations Center.

The YSAP symposium culminated with its award ceremony.  Judges presented medals for projects in biology, chemistry, engineering, inventions, physics, and mathematics, and the president of the YSAP board also bestowed Presidential Awards to students with promising projects.  

Smriti Sukesh Kumar and Mahek Virani of Secaucus received Presidential Awards for their project “Road Rage Reduction.”  Kumar and Virani’s project concerned programming an LED matrix board as a prototype in a real-world setting.

Veteran High Tech science teachers Dr. Nina Lavlinskaia and Dr. Arun Srivastava accompanied their highly-enthusiastic students, who rallied and supported their peers who received their awards. 

(from left to right: Dr. Jorge L. Valdes, President of YSAP, Smriti Sukesh Kumar, and Mahek Virani)

County Prep World Language Department Wins at Poetry Contest

The County Prep World Language Department is proud to announce that County Prep students excelled once more at the 34th Annual Orlando Saa Foreign Languages Poetry Recitation Contest, held at William Paterson University on May 18. This year, about sixty high schools participated in this great event and one of our students, Alexander B. Berman, won First Prize at the Chinese Intermediate category in this reputable contest.

Project Hayes

(Jersey City, NJ) Henrik Van Tassell, a first year student at Explore 2000 Middle School, has proven that his interest in technology equates to work that demonstrates his advanced knowledge, and skills in many areas of the 21 century learning environment.  Explore 2000 has had the privilege of providing the students with a robotics program where students solve real-world problems with their builds, and code their models to perform actions they require.  Recently we received upgrade kits for the Vex robotics sets, which included a competition controller, freeing the students from command based computer coding and its limitations.  The joysticks have 20 assignable button functions, and require more complex coding in the RobotC, a C based computer codding application.  Henrik constructed a transport vehicle with the Vex kit, and programmed the controller (joystick) allowing him to navigate the transport vehicle at the touch of his fingers.  Henrik has dubbed his work “Project Hayes”, inspired by the “Father of Wi-Fi”, Victor Hayes who is responsible for the international 802.11 standard that has made wireless networks possible.  It is this technology that allows the controller to communicate with the VEX cortex found on all models built by the students.

Henrik stated, “I originally built this transport car as an autonomous delivery robot, but when we received the joysticks, it became an RC bot.  The bot only required some modifications, and I think it is a great example for the S.T.E.M. camp students!  Although I have been experimenting with the VEX robotics kits, this vehicle is the first build that I designed and coded to be fully functional.  It originally was just an experiment, and I thought it would be a great project for the VEX joysticks.  It started very simple as just a two wheel drive car with sensors on the four corners, programmed to change direction when the sensor were bumped. When we received the VEX competition upgrade kits, which included the joysticks, Mr. Aziz, the Educational Technologist at E2K, urged me to incorporate the joystick into my design.  Coding the build was a bit challenging but I learned a lot about conditional statements, in addition we also used the Project Lead The Way forum to troubleshoot some technical issues that arose.  I felt the build needed an upgrade to four wheel drive due to stability issues, so I added two additional motors and modified the original code.  Lastly, I tested the performance of different types of wheels to see which would perform best and concluded terrain wheels created more drag and strained the motors more than the smaller, smooth wheels which I decided to leave on as the finished product.”

Explore 2000 would like to express sincere gratitude to everyone that has made the robotics program possible, with great success.  We are thankful for the support from our superintendents, Mr. Gargiulo and Dr. Sirangelo, the HCST Foundation and School Board, as well as our technology department for their dedication to moving our school forward as we set the pace for being the first vocational middle school.

High Tech Science League Earns Three Plaques This Year

(June 5, 2017--North Bergen, NJ) High Tech Science League competitors Andrew Tran of Kearny and Shrevas Agarwal of Secaucus have scored in the top 10% of all New Jersey students for Biology II and Physics C, respectively, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

Tran, a Kearny resident, earned a student plaque in Biology II, one out of a total of 30 plaques and 118 teams in New Jersey.  Also, Agarwal, who took First Place in AP Physics I last year, has earned one out of a total of fourteen plaques given for Physics C in all of New Jersey. 

Last, but not least, the Physics C Team, comprised of Agarwal and Mingyu Zhao of Harrison, earned a team plaque, placing fourth out of seventy teams in the Garden State.  Last year, Zhao took 17^th place, which put him in the top 10% of all competitors in New Jersey as well.

“Congratulations to our award recipients and to all Science League participants,” says Kimberly Braun, science instructor at High Tech.  “You had a great year.”

To participate in the annual Science League competition (both individual and team), students must take an acceptance test in subjects such as biology, chemistry, physics, environmental, and earth science at the beginning of the school year.   Only the top ten percent of the students receiving a certificate receives a student plaque.  Team scores equal the cumulative sum of the top 2%, and only the top 10% of schools in a subject area earns a team plaque.  

The four students with the highest scores officially become part of the team. The fifth highest-scoring student serves as an understudy.  Moreover, students participate in Science League to better their knowledge in a specific subject, and it provides proof to teachers and colleges about students’ expertise in a subject.  Additionally, students could also win scholarships if they win titles.   

The Science League state tests take place from January through April. 

(left to right: Shrevas Agarwal and Andrew Tran)

High Tech TV Production Student David Mansour Wins Best Writer Award at SNY Future Filmmakers Festival

(June 6, 2017—Brooklyn, NY) High Tech sophomore David Mansour, a TV Production student from Bayonne, entered his High Tech-produced film in the SportsNet New York (SNY) Future Filmmakers Festival and won an award for Best Writer, bringing home a $1,000 prize, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

SNY, home network of the New York Mets and Jets, held its first Future Filmmakers Festival this year.  Students (ages 14 to 19 as of April 1) in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut submitted a New York sports-themed short film for consideration.

“David is the first sophomore to enter a film festival this year,” says Gregg Ascolese, a TV Production instructor at High Tech.   “This is David's first award in filmmaking and we are expecting great things from him in the future.”

Mansour rubbed elbows with professional filmmaker Libby Geist, who recently won an Academy Award for last year’s ESPN documentary O.J.: Made in America, at the SNY Media Center, located in DUMBO (“Down under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass”) in trendy Brooklyn.

To view Mansour’s film, please go to the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjc3DGX5Vu4&authuser=0

High Tech’s Amanda Chang Receives American Association of Teachers of French Award

(June 8, 2017—Marion, IL) High Tech senior Amanda Chang of Bayonne has received a 2017 Outstanding Senior in French Award from the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF), announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

The AATF Outstanding Senior in French Award, made annually to a graduating senior who has demonstrated excellence in the study of French, also recognizes those who have shown exceptional commitment to the French language and a knowledge of the many cultures where people speak the French language.  Chang and other recipients of the Award must have completed at least three years of French study at the time of graduation and be non-native speakers of French.

Chang, who completed four years of French study with veteran instructor Dr. Laje Gashi, has traveled abroad, has competed in the National French Contest, has joined the French Club, has served as an officer in the Club, has participated in National French Week, and has also been selected as a member of the French National Honor Society.

The AATF, founded in 1927, has as its mission the promotion of the study of the French language and French-speaking literature and cultures at all levels, while recognizing the achievements of outstanding students and their teachers.  The AATF’s Award can help motivate students to continue their study of French either through a career in teaching or a complement to another profession.