John Sedrak of High Tech’s Academy of Design and Fabrication Accepted into Yale through Questbridge Scholarship

(Secaucus, NJ—December 18, 2018) Bayonne resident John Sedrak, a senior majoring in Wood Technology at High Tech’s Academy of Design and Fabrication (D│FAB), has been accepted into Yale University through a Questbridge scholarship, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

In addition to this remarkable feat, Sedrak has also landed an internship this summer at Eastern Millwork, Inc., an architectural woodworking and engineering firm in Jersey City.

Business Program at County Prep High School Hosts a Luncheon

The Business Program at County Prep hosted an end-of-the-year luncheon at Shalimar BBQ Restaurant, announced Ms. Barbara Mendolla, Principal of County Prep High School. The purpose of this field trip was to educate students about diversity, cultural awareness, and mutual respect for one another through social interaction and to prepare them for local and global business environments of the 21st century. Students from different backgrounds and cultures participated to make this a tremendous event. “This luncheon definitely helped students to explore, understand, and enjoy the beauty of diverse cultures, as well as to educate students to welcome people from different backgrounds,” says Dr. Syed Abbasi. This was a great opportunity for students to experience a global business environment as well as to educate students to promote and embrace all cultures and mutual respect. In addition to business majors, members of the Middle Eastern Cultural and Business-Technology Clubs were among the participants. “This get-together was a memorable event,” says Dr. Abbasi. Thank you and have joyful holiday!

High Tech Hiking Club Explores ‘Stairway to Heaven’ in the New York-New Jersey Highlands

(Wawayanda Mountain--December 16, 2018) The High Tech Hiking Club has had three hikes under its belt, but its last hike, up Pinwheel Vista, proved to be one for the books, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

Postponed twice due to inclement weather, the trip to Pinwheel Vista, A.K.A. “Stairway to Heaven,” a series of steep rock-slab steps switch-backing up Wawayanda Mountain, allowed the Hiking Club to revel in the breathtakingly beautiful view of a 2.5 mile trek. Rigorous and wet, the Appalachian trail challenged the mettle of the Hiking Club more than usual, yet once students and chaperones had the chance to sign the log book on the trail, spirits soared even higher.

The club’s first hike, to Ramapo Mountain State Forest, offered views of the New York Skyline and the ruins of Van Slyke Castle. Next, the club endeavored to Harriman State Park and the Lemon Squeeze, with their amazing views of Echo Lake and the rock formations.

“It is great that the Hiking Club is able to get parents and teachers involved in this exciting club,” says Ronald Kleish, history instructor at High Tech and moderator of the Hiking Club.

High Tech Students Win Film Award

(Mahwah, N.J. December 12, 2018) More than three dozen student filmmakers from around the state, including High Tech High School students Noelle White of Weehawken and Jersey City resident Katerina Vail, showcased their talents at the Fourth Annual High School Film Festival, hosted by Ramapo College of New Jersey, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech.

White and Vail shared an award for Best Cinematography for the short film No Signal and received a plaque and gift card.

Students entered original films in a variety of genres. Awards included the categories of editing, cinematography, documentary, and fiction. A panel of faculty members at Ramapo College screened and judged the 36 student films, and each entrant walked away with an Oscar-type statuette.

High Tech’s Academy of Design and Fabrication Receives ‘Balloon Talk’

(Secaucus, NJ—December 14, 2018) Kelly Dubé from Balloon Talk visited High Tech High School’s Academy of Design and Fabrication (D│FAB) and presented an exciting and live hot air balloon demonstration, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

Dubé reviewed the history of ballooning, explained some of the science, and engaged in a "cold inflation" of a ReMax balloon in the HCST gym. The balloon’s basket fit about 400 students and teachers inside it.

An enterprising addition to any school STEM program, Balloon Talk teaches students about the exciting adventure of piloting the unique aircraft known as the balloon. The organization’s speakers actually bring real hot air balloons to schools so that students experience the aircraft’s wonders firsthand.

York Review Reviews 3-D Design of London's Natural History Museum by High Tech Alum Samantha Forbes

(York, PA--December 18, 2018) The York Review, an online publishing site hosted by students from York College of Pennsylvania, has reviewed High Tech Class of 2018 alumnus Samantha Forbes’ three-dimensional animation for an area of London's Natural History Museum, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

Once an Interactive Media major at High Tech, Forbes has had some of  her work posted on the site, and editors enjoyed it so much that they plan to turn it into a series. 

For the review, please go to this link

High Tech High School Inaugurates Its Own eSports Team

(Secaucus, NJ—December 13, 2018) With the assistance of HELIX eSports and High Tech’s Game Design Club Adviser and Interactive Media instructor, Jared Krinsky, High Tech has started its very own eSports team, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

Due to the rise of eSports in colleges and universities across the world, it seems only fitting that this multiplayer video game format, played competitively for spectators, would make a splash at the high school level as well. Students come together to battle it out in such games as Super Smash Bros., Ultimate, Fortnite, League of Legends, Overwatch, and more.

Bringing eSports to High Tech has been one of Krinsky's goals since forming the Game Design Club.

“I remember when I was a student, my friends and I would spend our free time huddled around a TV for a game of Smash Bros.,” says Krinsky. “Now, to see students compete in it as a sport is fantastic.”

Krinsky hopes that High Tech eSports will provide a safe, fun environment for the high school gaming community and even lead to sponsorship and scholarships for students.

Through the help of Helix eSports Center, the premier center for gamers in Northern New Jersey and the New York City area, High Tech can now compete in a new sport for the 21st century. One of the largest eSports facilities in the nation, with 150 gaming stations, Helix has a conveniently located center in North Bergen, minutes from Manhattan and The Meadowlands Sports Complex. Helix boasts a state of the art facility, designed by industry veterans, and delivers a professional gaming experience for casual players to competitive gamers alike.

(from left to right:  Patrick Bainbridge, Felipe Palacio, Gabrielle Casabuena, Cayce De Jesus, Eric Rosado,

Giovanni DiNardo, Kevin Osorio, Ryan Piedrahita, Michael Piscopo, Jeremy Duran, and Ezekiel Bernheim)

County Prep Fashion Students Volunteer at Fab Scrap

County Prep Fashion students volunteered at Fab Scrap, a textile recycling center dedicated to the process of achieving environmental sustainability through the process of recycling textile waste.The textiles are donated from various apparel and textile companies. Instead of ending up in landfills, Fab Scrap textiles can be used as material for new garments or as insulation in building materials.The students sorted fabric by content while becoming aware of the worldwide impact textile waste has on our planet. In appreciation for the students' time and effort, Fab Scrap rewarded each student with 5 lbs. of fabric. The students will use the fabric to create garments for this year's upcoming fashion show.