High Tech’s Alex Becerril Builds Bookcase for Valentine’s Day

(North Bergen, NJ—February 14, 2018) As a part of his final project for DFab’s Wood Technology major, Alex Becerril of Bayonne constructed a bookcase that he crafted as a gift to his girlfriend on Valentine’s Day, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

As a requirement, the Wood Technology project had to be constructed with a face frame, the frame fixed to the front of a cabinet carcass that obscures the edges of the carcass and provides the fixing point for doors and other external hardware.

As mentioned, Becerril created the bookcase as a gift for his girlfriend, an avid reader and book collector.  Over the course of several months, Becerril employed the machinery available in the High Tech garage.  He learned about new techniques and tools to which he and classmates had not been previously exposed.  Zach Bolich, Becerril’s instructor, guided him through the project, from preparation to the process of utilizing trade tools.

Shortly after completion of the bookcase, Becerril installed the fruits of his handiwork in his girlfriend's house.

“This project offered me experience in woodcraft etiquette, communication, and real- world situations,” says Becerril.  “More so, with this project, I finally got to embrace the tradition of my family’s four generations of woodworkers.”

The shelves of the bookcase, which stands at approximately eight feet from floor to ceiling, have already been filled with Becerril’s girlfriend’s novels.

Alex Becerril of Bayonne stands beside his handcrafted bookcase

County Prep’s Improvisation Class Performs in the Fourth Annual Improv Show

County Prep’s Improvisation Class Performs in the Fourth Annual Improv Show:

County Prep Live Season 2 on February 19th, 2018

Only two weeks after our very successful run of How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, County Prep theatre arts improvisers performed in our fourth annual improvisation and fundraiser event, County Prep Live Season 2.

The show was loosely formatted after NBC’s Saturday Night Live. It was hosted by Matthew Riccardi, and was dedicated to Chris Farley, on the occasion of the 20 year anniversary of his sudden and premature death.

The cast created the characters and the skits in their after school credited class. Together with Ms. Shields, the director, the performers picked some of their best work and put together a two hour laughter-filled event that stood out for its precise comedic timing, current events relevance and sheer fun. The performers in order of appearance were Sophomores Tyla Gibson and Dynajah Smith, Junior Ivory Love Torres, Freshman Kayla Velazquez, Junior Sirena Morales, Seniors Matthew Riccardi and Kyle Velazquez, Sophomores Yvelisse Vargas and Janell Garcia, and Freshman Gail Mulligan, Kim Caputo, and Jen Sarker.

Some of the highlights of the show were the Cold Opening: Hot Tea News, which introduced the entire cast to the audience, and Murder on the Train, a mystery orchestrated by a Russian mystery lady, played by Sophomore Tyla Gibson, and where a couple of French acrobats, played by Junior Sirena Morales and Senior Kyle Velazquez stole the show. Other audience favorites were Friday Update hosted by Matthew Riccardi and Shanqueesha, and the Two Grandmothers Skit, acted by Seniors Kyle Velazquez and Matthew Riccardi, Junior Sirena Morales and Sophomore Janell Garcia. As tribute to Chris Farley, the show also included three Chris Farley sketches from SNL, among which Matt Foley was clearly an audience favorite.

Ms. Shields is extremely proud of her extraordinary creative improvisers as well as the technical crew of the evening; student Light Designer Alexis Medel, student sound and lighting technicians Solimar Colombani and Delana Ramos, and students assisting with Make-up and wardrobe Karissa Cruz and Cindy Ramos.

Thank you all performers and crew for such an amazing performance!

County Prep Senior Denise Anderson Plays Basketball for Hoboken High School

Please see the attached article from the Hudson Reporter for news of our County Prep Senior Denise Anderson, who plays basketball for the Hoboken High School girls' basketball team.

http://hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/27533985/article-SCOREBOARD--Redwing-girls-are-flying-high---Huge-overtime-win-over-Kearny-puts-Hoboken-at-8-2-?instance=jim_hauge

High Tech Has Soup-Per Bowl Win! 345 Cans and Other Items Collected for Hoboken Shelter

(North Bergen, NJ—February 5, 2018) The High Tech High School community took part in Language Arts instructor Robert Dillon’s second annual Soup-Per Bowl, contributing 345 cans and non-perishable items to benefit the Hoboken Shelter once more, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

“We outdid ourselves by 55 cans compared to last year,” says Dillon.  “It’s great to see how caring and charitable everyone in our school can be, especially within our own community of Hudson County.

Robert Dillon, Organizer of High Tech's Soup-Per Bowl

Culinary Arts Students from County Prep Visit Hudson County Community College

County Prep Culinary Arts students visited Hudson County Community College multiple times from September through December to participate in the “Extended Culinary Student for the Day” program.  The students reported to HCCC at 7:30 am to cycle through the various culinary labs to gain exposure to the post-secondary culinary arts program and to “feel” what it is like to be a college student.  They also had the opportunity to interact with the professors and to partake in “hands-on” activities in the various kitchens.   At the conclusion of each visit,  the students attended a luncheon in the dining hall that was served and prepared by the culinary college students.  Overall, it was an invaluable structured learning experience that defined a potential career option for our students. 

                                

County Prep Students Participate in Junior Achievement's High School Heroes Program

Ms. Bello and Ms. Torres teach classes at County Prep High School for aspiring young teachers.  Their students participated in Junior Achievement's High School Heroes Program in October and December.   The students shadowed teachers and then returned to Cordero School to teach Junior Achievement's interactive elementary school curriculum. The lesson plans focused on educational standards with grade appropriate themes of personal economics, business, work force readiness and the importance of staying in school.  This Structured Learning Experience helped students practice leadership, presentation, and communication skills as well as highlight the importance of team work and preparedness.  

County Prep sends a warm thank-up to Junior Achievement and the staff at Cordero School for supporting our students.

County Prep Theater Arts Performs the Musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

In just its sixth year, the after school Theater 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. Once again, the show had complete live accompaniment, by renowned pianist Craig Ketter, under the direction of our wonderful Musical Director, Valerie Gonzalez. The show was designed by our professional lighting designer, Mr. Lance Michel, and was directed by Ms. Shields.

This year, the students focused on rehearsing and performing the musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, a satire of the world of big business, a topic quite relevant now as it was at the time when the musical was conceived. The story centers around J. Pierrepont Finch, a young window washer, who is looking for the fastest way to rise to the top, with the help of a simple Self-Help book. Finch is an opportunist, will pull any deceptions, and strings he figures would help his cause. Along his journey, Finch discovers friends, stirs up enemies and finds true love.

County Prep’s rendition of the musical was very well received. The response of the audience was amazing, with lots of audience members sharing their favorite moments. Some of the comments the performers received were: “Hilarious!”, “The actors were phenomenal!”, “The acting was so believable”. A few even said that, “it felt like we were watching a movie that kept us to the edge of the seat”, other raved about the strength of the singing numbers.

Directed by Ms. Shields, this piece was chosen to showcase our performers this year. Kyle Velazquez starred as Finch, Sirena Morales starred as Rosemary. The cast also included Senior Delana Ramos who also choreographed the majority of the songs, Senior Solimar Colombani, Juniors Ivory Torres and Bertha Solis, Sophomores Dynajah Smith and Yvelisse Vargas, Freshmen Ariel Rivera, Kayla Velazquez, Ariana Young and Debora Melendez . 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 stage manager lighting technician Senior Alexis Medel, sound technicians Senior Cindy Ramos and her Assistant Senior Justin Cuevas as well as make-up artist extraordinaire Senior Karissa Cruz. Last but not least, our Stage Hands Senior Terrell Wehner and Freshmen Kaine Malachi and Joseph Marto helped make the show possible.

Ms. Shields and Ms.Gonzalez are very proud of all of the cast and crew whose work has developed through our premiere rendition of this Broadway classic.

The Fantasticks is presented through arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI)

All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com.com

County Prep's National Honor Society Holds Its Induction Ceremony

County Prep's National Honor Society (NHS), held its Induction Ceremony on January 31st, 2018 in the ITV room of the Jersey City Center of Hudson County Schools of Technology.  29 students were inducted during the ceremony. 

 Vidhi Patel, President, along with NHS officers and inductees conducted the ceremony for their parents and staff.  During the ceremony, they explained the importance of the National Honor Society and how leadership, scholarship, character and service plays a vital role for them.  

Ms. Mendolla and the entire staff are truly proud of these students and would like to recognize and congratulate them on their acceptance into the National Honor Society.

County Prep Theatre Arts Students Attend 3rd Annual Theatre Day in Hudson County

A large group of the County Prep Theatre Arts students participated this year in the 3rd Annual Theatre Day organized by Hudson County Alliance of Teen Artists in partnership with Hoboken High School on Friday January 19, 2018. The students took part in a full day of theatre activities taught by professionals who are leading the field in theatre education. They each chose two hands-on workshops. Among the choices were: Improvisation with Ryan Huban, founder of NJ based Improv group Howdy Stranger, Playwriting with published playwright George Cameron Grant, Script Analysis with Matthew Lawler, Broadway, TV and film actor, and Audition Techniques Workshop with Douglas Taurel, a professional actor.

This has been an amazing opportunity for our students, who had a chance to work alongside other Hudson County performing arts students and take workshops with theater professionals. They all found the workshops insightful and challenging, and are looking forward to more next year.

The Hudson County Alliance of Teen Artists is funded by the Hudson County Division of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourist Development, Thomas A. DeGise, County Executive and Board of Chosen Freeholders, New Jersey Dept. of Education Interim Executive County Superintendent, Monica M. Tone, and the Hudson County Superintendents Round Table; North Bergen Board of Education, Secaucus Board of Education and Bayonne Board of Education; and New Jersey City University.