County Prep Hosts Award-Winning Professional Company

County Prep High School will host Kyle Marshall Choreography Friday, November 30 at 7:30pm & Saturday, December 1 at 2pm as part of the school’s Choreographer in Residence Program. Kyle Marshall is a 2018 New York Dance and Performance “Bessie” Jury Award recipient and a New Jersey State Council of the Arts Fellow.

Marshall's residency has included weeks of master classes with students of the dance program and will culminate with this weekend's performance. County Prep Dance Director Heather Warfel-Sandler says, "Kyle Marshall's work is original and deeply impactful. It is a rare gift to be able to see award-winning modern dance in such an intimate theater, right here in Jersey City. We hope the community takes advantage of this opportunity."

The performance will include a Q&A with the artists. Family friendly. Tickets available HERE or at the door (cash only).

More about the work to be shown:

Parts of Colored navigates the beautifully twisted spectrum of blackness that dancers Oluwadamilare “Dare” Ayroinde, Kyle Marshall and Myssi Robinson regularly embody. This work features original music by Matt Clegg and was commissioned in-part by "Dance on the Lawn" Montclair Dance Festival, EMoves: Harlem Stage, and Jersey (New) Moves at NJPAC.

King uses Martin Luther King Jr.’s final speech, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop”, as its impetus. Performed and choreographed by Kyle Marshall, King was commissioned by Harlem Stage to commemorate the 50th anniversary of MLK’s assassination.

Horizon- in Process is performed by Oluwadamilare Ayorinde and Miriam Gabriel. This work explores the tension of race, gender, and formalist dance.

Pre Reign is shrouded in Christianity, Blackness, America, and joy. Oluwadamilare Ayroinde, Bria Bacon, Miriam Gabriel, Kyle Marshall, and Myssi Robinson are in a process to move and uplift a congregation’s spirit by creating a sanctuary for reflection, truth, and dance in an age of unbelief.

County Prep’s FCCLA Delegation Earns Multiple Awards and Recognition

Edison NJ –November 19, 2018

The County Prep FCCLA delegation attended the Fall conference at the Pines Manor in Edison NJ. The conference was attended by 740 members from schools throughout New Jersey, announced Ms. Barbara Mendolla, Principal of County Prep High School.

Our students competed in the following events:

Cupcake Challenge ( Culinary Arts )
The Cupcake Challenge Competitive Event is a State Event conducted at the NJ FCCLA Fall Leadership Connection. It is a team event that encourages members to create an original cupcake recipe from scratch that incorporates an herb as an ingredient. The members must make a minimum of 5 dozen cupcakes that will be sold at the NJ FCCLA Fall Leadership Connection to raise money for the National Outreach Project, Share Our Strength. The cupcakes are evaluated on the taste, texture, appearance, and creativity as well as the efficiency and creativity of the display. The team of Zinab Ennasri and Valeria Roasdo won 1st place Gold followed by the team of Antonios Azmy, Nisha Purino, and Giovanna Mezzasalma winning 2nd place Gold.

Tune Into FCCLA (Video Production)The Tune Into FCCLA Competitive Event is a State Event conducted at the NJ FCCLA Fall Leadership Connection. It is designed to energize our technically gifted and creative members. Tune Into FCCLA is a team event that allows participants to develop an FCCLA marketing project using a public service announcement video to raise awareness about the negative effects of tobacco and e-cigarette use.
We would like to recognize the team of Bryan Casana and Xylissa Fuentes for being awarded the 1st place Gold medal and Shaun Crafton and Can Sark the 2nd place Silver medal.

GO GREEN (Studio Art)
The Go Green Competitive Event is a team event in which students work to create an effective, attractive, and unique item that can be used to enhance the home or work environment. At the 2018 Fall Leadership Connection, this event focused on an environmentally friendly Desk Organizer. The project had to be artistic in nature and employ principles and elements of design. The design had to be a realistic approach, but exhibit creativity and eye appeal. The project demonstrated the ability to use Recycled/Repurposed/Reclaimed items, Sustainable and Renewable resources in a creative and responsible manner. The teams of County Prep won 1st,2nd and 3rd place Gold medals in this category .The team of Gennalyn Orencia, Emily Adams, and Kelly Maldonado won 1st place Gold achieving a PERFECT score! Roxanne Lipa and LeeAnh Hoang were 2nd place Gold and Jessica Massa and Anjoli Armogan won 3rd place Gold.

Passion for Fashion (Fashion Design)
The Passion for Fashion Design Challenge Competitive Event is a State Event conducted at the NJ FCCLA Fall Leadership Connection. It is an individual event that allows participants to exhibit fashion design, creativity, and construction by creating doll clothes. Each participant designs and drafts a pattern and constructs an original doll-sized garment for either a twelve or an eighteen inch doll. This event is a perfect example of how art and academics are combined in real world situations.

Alexa Acuna, Esmeralda Garcia and Lilian Nguyen won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place gold medals respectively. Alexa and Esmeralda were awarded a two-day summer workshop at Berkeley College in NYC.

Ms. Mendolla, Mrs. Patten, Mrs. Martinez, Chef Palsi, Chef Delesky and Ms. Jullian Mulrain congratulate the students on a job well done.

High Tech Audio/Visual Students Earn Invitation to 2018 World Tolerance Day Conference

(New York, NY—November 16, 2018) The High Tech Audio/Visual Department earned an invitation to the 2018 World Tolerance Day Conference, held at the United Nations, in conjunction with YouTube Creators for Change™, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

High Tech Class of 2011 alumnus Paul Marvucic, currently Product Marketing Manager at YouTube, organized the event with instructors Gregg Ascolese and Rob Meyer. The students braved severely inclement weather to take part in this entertaining and educational event.

An ongoing global initiative, YouTube Creators for Change™ spotlights inspirational Creators who use YouTube to foster productive conversations around tough issues and make a positive impact on the world. As part of their commitment to the program, Creators for Change™ Ambassadors and Fellows receive mentorship and promotional support to aid the creation of their Impact Projects—films that tackle a range of topics, from self-acceptance and showing kindness to others, to celebrating cultures and advocating for global empathy.

“Students on the trip not only learned how to make great films,” says Ascolese “but how to make films which carry a deeper meaning.”

The Creators for Change™ included AsapScience, L-Fresh the Lion, MaximNoise, Maha AJ, and MostlySane, artists very excited to host the Audio/Visual students.

High Tech’s Carlos Hernandez Selected as Finalist in the 2019 YoungArts’ National Arts Competition

(New York, NY—November 14, 2018) High Tech senior Carlos Hernandez of Jersey City has been named a Finalist for Photography in the 2019 YoungArts’ National Arts Competition, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech.

A Graphic Arts major, Hernandez will join other students selected nationally from amongst 7,000 applicants to participate in National YoungArts Week, held in Miami this January. Competition winners receive cash prizes (up to $10,000) and the opportunity to share their work at such renowned institutions as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Sotheby’s, and New World Center in Miami.

“I’m incredibly proud of Carlos’s hard work and feel fortunate to have worked with him for the last year and a half,” says Alan Cano, High Tech High School Graphic Arts, Photography & Design instructor. “His talent does not go unnoticed.”

Hernandez also works as a photographer and graphic designer for the Hudson County Schools of Technology Foundation.

National YoungArts Week, the organization’s signature program, fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration while offering Finalists the guidance that they require to prepare for the next stage of their artistic development. During National YoungArts Week, a free intensive, artists from across 10 disciplines participate in master classes and workshops with internationally recognized leaders in their fields. Throughout the week, Finalists’ work will be further adjudicated to determine additional award levels.

County Prep High School Alumnus David Acosta to Receive Young Artist Award

Press Release - On Tuesday, November 27^th at 6:30pm, County Prep High School Alumnus David Acosta will receive the Jersey City Arts Council’s 2018 Young Artist Award.

The event celebrates artists, arts educators, and arts supporters throughout Jersey City, and is a fundraiser for the Jersey City Arts Council, a non-profit arts advocacy organization.  Tickets and sponsorship are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/awards-celebration-tickets-51316052695.

David Acosta, County Prep High School Alumnus, performs under the stage name Murdock.  He was born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey. From a young age he found a passion and escape in Hip-Hop, Comic Books, and Theatre. Acosta performed regularly at County Prep High School in Open Mic Nights, Talent Shows, and as a member of the dance program.  After graduating from Montclair State University in 2014 with a BA in Theatre Studies, he made it his mission to combine his 3 passions and launched his music career with his debut sample based EP Anxiety. Nostalgia. Confidence.

After a successful launch, he immediately began work on his full length debut concept album #AAAH.  After 4 music videos and a year and a half of performing the intense theatrical set built around #AAAH, Acosta, aka Murdock, began work on his follow-up record attempting to create a new sound and type of "concept album".  Murdock's second album Rebirth was released in August 2018 to local acclaim. 

Acosta is also on the board of Arts on the Hudson, has been featured numerous times in NJ.com, and recently produced the first annual Arts on the Hudson Festival at Hamilton Park.

“David’s work explores important and personal issues with honesty and often humor. His level of commitment to the arts in Jersey City is exceptional at such a young age.  We are thrilled to honor his work and to continue to watch his career continue to develop. He is a great asset to this community.” –Jersey City Arts Council

Tuesday, November 27^th, 6:30-9:30pm. White Eagle Hall 337 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ

Gala Celebration Tickets:  $125

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/awards-celebration-tickets-51316052695

 

High Tech’s Sophia Baldassari Earns First Place as Teen Playwright

(Hoboken, NJ—November 8, 2018) High Tech High School junior Sophia Baldassari of Hoboken earned First Place in the Teen Author Category of the Hoboken Public Library’s One Act Play Writing Competition, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech.

A drama major at High Tech, Baldassari has performed at Manhattan repertory theatre and Upright Citizens Brigade. She developed her award-winning original play, Jenna Meets Death (Who Looks like Elton John), from one of the scenes that she composed for the High Tech drama Waiting Room last year. Her scene didn’t make it into the final cut of the show, but Baldassari reworked it into her play.

In addition to writing plays at High Tech, she performs with the school’s Stand-Up Comedy ensemble.

County Prep Holds Ping-Pong Tournament

County Prep High School hosted a Ping-Pong Tournament at the Jersey City Center of Hudson County Schools of Technology, with overwhelming participation from the student body, announced Ms. Barbara Mendolla, Principal of County Prep High School.
Numerous participants, including students, faculty, and staff, competed in the tournament. Through tough competition, two finalists emerged: Dr. Syed Abbasi and Yossef Gendy. Dr. Syed Abbasi won their final match, a hard-fought contest.

High Tech's Victoria Caban Competes on TV's "World of Dance" in front of J-Lo

By Al Sullivan, Senior Staff Writer for The Hudson Reporter, November 8, 2018

For High Tech High School sophomore Victoria Caban, competing on NBC’s TV show World of Dance over the summer was a dream come true.

Victoria—who lives in Jersey City and trains at New Jersey Dance Fusion in North Bergen—competed on World of Dance in the junior division. She wowed judges Jennifer Lopez, NE-YO, and Derek Hough with her Flamenco performance to Camila Cabello’s “Havana” in the duels portion of the competition.

“My daughter loved Jennifer Lopez and always wanted to dance for someone famous,” said her mom, Martha Caban.

Victoria said she looks up to Jennifer Lopez because she’s an incredible dancer, singer, and humanitarian, and because she and Lopez share the same Latin roots.

“She’s Puerto Rican and we come from the same country [sic],” she said.

In a junior field with multiple contemporary, ballroom, and hip-hop dancers, her unique flamenco moves gave the judges a taste of something different.

She said flamenco music is unique and she wanted to present it against more popular musical numbers.

Victoria competed through The Cut phase of the show.

Victoria said she originally wanted to take part in the competition to show how different she was, and what flamenco dancers can do.

But because Puerto Rico suffered the ill effects of Hurricane Maria in 2017, she wanted to donate some of the $1 million prize money to help the island if she won.

Victoria received a high score of 90.7 from the judges, who appeared amazed by her fierce and sassy flamenco dance.

For the eight weeks of qualifying rounds, the performers have only had to average 80 points or above to advance to the next round.

Born on February 22, 2003, Victoria began dancing when she was 9 years old. She previously competed on So You Think You Can Dance and has trained with North Bergen-based Kozmic Energy and Pulse Elite. She is currently exploring opportunities to perform internationally.

Victoria has a wide range of talents as a dancer, singer, and actress. She has even worked as a model.

World of Dance is an American reality competition television series, hosted by Jenna Dewan and executive produced by Jennifer Lopez. The series features dance performers, including solo acts and larger groups, representing any style of dance, competing for a grand prize of $1 million.

The series brings the world’s elite dancers together to compete in artistry, precision, and athleticism. Solo dancers compete against duos and crews in an unlimited range of dance, including hip-hop, popping, locking, tap, ballet, break dancing, ballroom, stomping, and more.

The contestants, handpicked from qualifying events around the nation and thousands of online submissions, compete in four divisions.

The competition consists of five rounds: Qualifiers, Duels, The Cut, Divisional Final, and the World Final. In the first four rounds, dancers only compete within their division, but in the World Final, the winners from each division compete against each other for the grand prize.

Victoria, a resident of Jersey City all her life, has been dancing since age nine.

“The talent on the show is very competitive,” Martha said. “But she had an amazing experience being around professional dancers. Jennifer Lopez is one of her idols. As a little girl, Victoria used to mimic her. Now she got to meet her and dance in front of her.”

County Prep 12th Graders Attend NJ Transit Academy

Seven County Prep seniors attended the New Jersey Transit Academy on Tuesday, October 30, 2018.  This workshop provided students with an opportunity to tour NJ Transit’s Central Maintenance Facility, Railroad Car Shop, and to attend several break-out sessions including resume preparation, interviewing skills, and NJ Transit’s hiring procedures.  One of the highlights included a tour of the "command center" that monitors all rail traffic in New Jersey.  It was a valuable structured learning experience that increased students' awareness of the benefits and career trajectories within the organization.

County Prep Students Participate in Structured Learning Experience -YTTW Certified Nursing Assistant and Physical Therapy Aide Programs

Structured Learning Experience -  Youth Transitions to Work (YTTW) Certified Nursing Assistant and Physical Therapy Aide Programs

Representatives from the Youth Transitions to Work (YTTW) - Certified Nursing Assistant and Physical Therapy Aide Apprenticeship Program presented to over 80 students at County Prep High School on Tuesday, October 16, 2018.  The scholarship program provides outreach, training, and placements for students interested in becoming Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) or Physical Therapy Aides (PTA).  Students learned about potential career pathways that can be launched as part of this “Earn While You Learn” initiative.

This is part of Governor Murphy's Initiative to expand apprenticeships across the state of New Jersey.  

County Prep Cosmetology Students Attend Training at Rutgers University of Public Health

NJ Safe Schools - Rutgers University of Public Health offered a Cosmetology Safety and Health Workshop to County Prep senior Cosmetology students on Monday, October 29, 2018. The training is based on the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's Youth @ Work Curriculum. The workshop covered topics such as common work injuries, hazard identification and control, emergency responses, job rights, infection control, chemical safety, and ergonomics. This training helps prepare young workers entering the field of cosmetology.


Thank you to Ms. Donofrio and her students for participating in this training.

County Prep Sisters Win at National Band Competition

Kristen De Matos, an 11th grader here at County Prep High School, is a member of the Kearny High School Color Guard. Her younger sister Kayleen De Matos, a 9th grader here at County Prep, is a flute player for the Kearny High School Band. The pair recently celebrated important wins at the National Band Competition. Kristen and her team mates won 3rd place out of 15 bands in the color guard section, while Kayleen and her team won 7th place out of 15 bands. Congratulations!

High Tech’s Jessica Tanuos and Caitlyn Ramdat Recognized at Poetry Indeed!

(Piscataway, NJ—October 26, 2018) High Tech junior Jessica Tanuos and High Tech freshman Caitlyn Ramdat, both residents of Bayonne, earned Second Place and Third Place, respectively, in Poetry Indeed!, a student poetry event held at the Livingston Student Center of Rutgers University, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

Tanuos, who attends the Culinary/Science Academy, won Second Place in the High School Division for her poem, “One Step at a Time.” Ramdat, also a student in the Culinary/Science Academy, won Third Place for her poem, “Light vs. Dark.”

“I was very surprised when my name was called at the event,” says Tanuos. “I am also pleased to have had Isabella Massey create artwork for my poem.”

The New Jersey Center for the Book, affiliated with the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, hosted Poetry Indeed!, a free event open to the public. Poetry Indeed! showcased the work of New Jersey students in grades 4 through 12 in the hopes of helping young people find their voices through poetry. Student poets collaborated with a fellow student artist for illustration, and the event committee selected forty poems to be read at Poetry Indeed!

“I was elated to find out that I even got into the contest as a freshman,” Ramdat says. “I was proud of myself and my friend Jessica.”

Tanuos and Ramdat each received a Certificate of Distinction from the Center for the Book/Library of Congress.

(from left to right: Caitlyn Ramdat, Jessica Tanuos, and moderator Joan Marie Bellotti)