Theatre Arts Students at County Prep Enjoy Broadway Production of The Rose Tattoo

The County Prep Theatre Arts vocation students attended the Broadway Production of The Rose Tattoo, written by celebrated American playwright Tennessee Williams, with Oscar winner Marisa Tomei, a play under the direction of Trip Cullman, performed at the American Airlines Theatre venue of the Roundabout Theatre.

Winner of the 1951 Tony Award, this play, also considered by Williams as “his love play to the world”, plunges the audience into the story of Sicillian emigrant Serafina, a widow who rekindles her desire for love, lust and life in the arms of a fiery suitor. The play sizzles with humor, heart, and authentic gems of the Sicilian music and dance.

Our students thoroughly enjoyed the play, loved the versatility of all the actors. But more importantly they enjoyed the truly human portrayal of the characters, evident in every single performance.

The students also participated in question and answer sessions with the actors, which they found fascinating and inspiring. Overall, this has been a very enriching experience and we are looking forward to more collaboration with the Roundabout Theatre in the near future, says Raluca Shields, the Theatre Arts teacher at Country Prep.

County Prep Students Participate in Structured Learning Experience at Barnes and Noble

On Wednesday, October 24, Ms. Bello's Early Childhood Education classes visited Barnes and Noble in Clifton, NJ. Students explored possible post-secondary career pathways within Barnes and Noble including HR, Publishing, Marketing, Management, and IT. In addition, the students selected a "favorite" children's author for a classroom project and then returned to class to "create and author" their own children's book which will be read to children at a local day care center.

County Prep Business Class Participates in Junior Achievement Workshops at Roxiticus Golf Club

Students from Ms. Companioni's business class participated in a Structured Learning Experience at Roxiticus Golf Club in Mendham, NJ on Tuesday, September 24, 2019. Junior Achievement hosted the event and selected County Prep students to be ambassadors for the day. The students participated in Team Building, Networking, and Sales workshops with practicing professionals from Accenture. They sold "mulligans" as part of their sales role and two students delivered an outstanding presentation to the golfers just before tee time. In addition, they interacted with JA Board members and high level executives during a complimentary luncheon.

Junior Achievement Structured Learning Experience a Success for Finance Students at County Prep

On October 21st and 23rd, Ms. Murray's and Dr. Abbasi's classes (approximately 140 freshmen and sophomores) participated in a financial literacy program entitled “Finance Park” sponsored by Junior Achievement. County Prep students were afforded the opportunity to visit Junior Achievement's state-of-the-art facility located in Edison, NJ. The students engaged in an intensive, high-energy immersion learning experience in which they received a fictional life situation and created a balanced monthly budget. The activities reinforced NJ’s Core Curriculum Content Standards while focusing on important elements of money management and career exploration. The event boosted the students’ confidence in making smart academic and economic decisions.

County Prep Hosts Robert Mark Dance - Professional Company

The Fall 2019 CHIRP residency program culminates with a performance by professional dance company Robert Mark Dance on December 6 & 7 at County Prep High School. Choreographer and dancer Robert Mark Burke has been working with the dance students at County Prep this semester, training them in modern dance as part of their daily classes. Mr. Burke, a resident of Jersey City and dancer with 10HL and the renowned Lucinda Childs Dance Company, has been in residence with his professional company since September.

The performances on December 6 at 7:30pm and December 7 at 2:30pm will offer insight into the creative process of dance, by starting with a glimpse into the rehearsal process and moving into presented works of completed choreography. The performances will end with a question and answer session, offering students and audience an opportunity to learn more about this artists work and the life of a dancer/choreographer.  Tickets are just $5 and the performance is open to the public.  Tickets: https://robertmarkdance.ticketleap.com/shareshow/details?fbclid=IwAR0yRYs3jf2oQ-vieyXrRLu72eAHwEOfT20Xob35n7SHOAGn5XwLzIa-uII

"I encourage everyone to take advantage of this unique opportunity to see live, professional modern dance right here in our school's intimate black box theater.  Robert is not only a gifted choreographer and dancer, but also an excellent teacher who has brought a great deal of inspiration to our classroom.  By making this program affordable Mr.Burke has shown his commitment to making high quality dance accessible to our students and to the community at large. His dancers are exceptional, and this promises to be an exciting night of dance!" - Heather Warfel Sandler, Director, County Prep Dance Program

https://www.facebook.com/events/1210939635758485/?active_tab=about

County Prep Fashion Students Visit the Tenement Museum in NYC

Recently, County Prep fashion students learned about the lives of two families who lived at 97 Orchard Street from 1892 - 1935. By the turn of the 20th Century, the Lower East Side was both the center of the nation’s garment production and a focus of its immigrant life. The fashion students learned the ways in which garment workers of that time were as hardworking as the immigrant families of today. The tour introduced them to two particular families, the Levines and the Rogarshevskys, who like many immigrants of their time, found a livelihood in the garment trade, New York’s largest industry.
This field trip is an example of cross-curriculum learning as the students see how working conditions were in the early 1900's in comparison to working condition today.

County Prep Student Council Hosts Successful Halloween Costume Contest

On Halloween Day Student Council hosted their annual costume contest coordinated by Nisha Purino and Stephany Santiago. Students were able to enter the contest and/or buy a polaroid picture of themselves. Every student who either participated in the competition or took a photo received a free candy bag before heading off. Even though teachers didn’t enter the contest they were still able to have their photo taken by the photography students. Several teachers dressed up as TV and Movie characters while students showed their creativity. There were three winners: Alex Bondulich as a gumball machine (most creative); Kane Malakai and Jeremy Alicea as Pennywise and Georgie (best pair); Jeremy and friends as nuns and a priest (best group). Along with the 1st place winners, there were 3 honorable mentions: Giovanni Ortiz and Leah Hall as Dora and Diego; Angela Larose as Shrek; Tyla Gibson as an evil queen from her imagination. There was $100 worth of prizes given out to these students to all their creativity. Nisha Purino and Stephany Santiago both agree that this was County Prep's most successful costume contest yet.
-by Dynajah Smith

County Prep Students Take SLE Excursion to Grounds for Sculpture

Mr. Gerard Patten, Ms. Jillian Mulrain, and Mr. Robert Meyer led a field trip (SLE) to Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton, NJ on October 17th. Juniors and Seniors from Photography, Audio Visual Production and the Art programs were able to photograph and videotape some of the most beautiful sculptures in the state of NJ. Grounds For Sculpture is a museum, sculpture garden, and arboretum where art and nature are always at play. Outdoors, nearly 300 contemporary sculptures are sited across 42 landscaped acres. Indoors, temporary exhibitions from established and emerging artists are featured in six galleries.

County Prep's Photography and Audio Visual Production Classes Visit PhotoPlus Expo

On October 25th, 2019, students from County Prep's Photography and Audio Visual Production classes visited the PhotoPlus Expo 2019 at the Jacob Javits Center in NYC. Juniors and seniors gained hands-on-experience with the latest and greatest in photography and video equipment. Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Panasonic and Olympus all were well represented. Students were also able to sit in on a number of mini-seminars for all the newest equipment, software and products that are now available and will be the future of our photo and video programs. Mr. Patten and Mr. Robert Meyer would like to thank Mr. Jason Carey and Mr. Christopher Greco for their help during the visit. We would all like to thank Ms. Mendolla and Mrs. Amy-Lin Rodriguez for their continued support of our programs.

County Prep Guidance Department to Host Parent and Student Workshop on the College Application Process

County Prep will be hosting a parent and student workshop that will provide an overview of the college application process. Topics include-- how to apply to college using the Common App, how to request letters of recommendation, and how to use Naviance for researching college majors as well as searching for scholarships. Students should bring their Chromebooks so they can ask any specific questions and work on completing their applications.

The event will be held in the ITV room from 6-8 p.m. on 11/20. Caroline Ulivella and Amrita Chuli will be presenting the information. Registration is required. Students can register for the event on Naviance by going to the College Visits tab in Naviance. If you have any questions, please see Ms. Ulivella in Guidance.

Bayonne Reads Community-Wide Discussion a Success

Bayonne Reads

Community-Wide Discussion a Success

Several Bayonne residents recently came together to participate in the kick off community event, Bayonne Reads: One Book, One Community. Modeled on programs like PBS’s The Big Read and the American Library Association's One Book, One Community, Bayonne Community Bank recently hosted one of the discussions based on the book, The Things They Carried, by author, Tim O'Brien. On October 23rd, 2019 participants gathered to share their views and personal experiences based on O’Brien’s gripping award-winning novel.




Ms. Maria Rubio, County Prep’s Graphic Technology teacher, through a Structured Learning Experience facilitated the creation of the Bayonne Reads logo with her students Edison Cheng and Diego Andrade. This logo will continue to be used as The Bayonne Reads symbol to represent their commitment to bringing people together to discuss important social issues in a safe and supportive environment.

Mood Fabric Structured Learning Experience 2019

The seniors from the County Prep Fashion Design and Merchandising program visited
Mood Fabrics in New York City this week. Mood Fabrics is the store where the
design contestants from the Emmy-nominated show, Project Runway, shop
for their fabrics and trimmings. The fabric purchased by the students
will be used to construct garments for FCCLA competitions and the
County Prep Fashion Show. During this structured learning experience,
students demonstrated their planning and time management skills,
critical thinking, and problem-solving strategies as well as research
skills and the elements and principles of visual art. Cost analyses
were used to determine the fabric consumption of the purchases. We
look forward to seeing the finished designs on the runway this May at
the County Prep fashion show.

Students were excited to have their picture taken with" Swatch" the mascot of Mood Fabrics who has appeared in numerous Project Runway
episodes since 2007.

County Prep's Student Council Plans Events for October

OCTOBER EVENTS
By: Arianna Mejias

Student Council is preparing to unleash two Halloween inspired events back-to-back: Movie Night and the Halloween Costume Contest. 

Movie night, coordinated by Kayleen De Matos and Kristen De Matos, will take place on Wednesday, October 30th from 3:30-5:30 and will feature Henry Selicks's, dark fantasy horror film, Coraline. 

The Halloween contest will take place on Friday, October 31st at all lunch periods. Coordinated by Stephany Santiago and Nisha Purino, the contest will allow students to showcase their creative costumes for the chance to win a prize. 

Show your support by taking part in these Halloween festivities at County Prep!

County Prep Student Council Opens the 2019-2020 School Year with a Successful 1st Meeting

STUDENT COUNCIL

by Arianna Mejias & Lorianne Andrades

Nothing says back-to-school like the start of Student Council, the forefront of County Prep's most anticipated and well-loved events! The first Student Council meeting of the 2019-2020 school year was held on Friday, October 4th. Although we're only a month in, the excitement was evident in all of our members. The club’s returning members in attendance are hard at work preparing for the school year and the welcoming of new members in the second marking period. Ms. Torres and Mr. Carey welcomed us back, then dove into the agenda for the months to come. When everyone dispersed to their separate committees, the room became a center of creativity. The Banner, Concessions, and Movie-Night Committees were preparing for Halloween and all of the treats that come with it. The Lock-In Committee is preparing for the much-awaited event. The coordinators for one of the biggest events of the school year, Battle of the Classes, recruited class representatives to help them further plan, manage, and execute required tasks. We're all very excited about the many events planned this school year and can't wait to share it with the staff and students of County Prep High School!

County Prep High School Teacher Selected for NY Road Runners Team #MovedMe

Bryan Ehnstrom, County Prep High School Exercise Science/Medical Science teacher, was recently selected to be part of the New York Road Runners Team #MovedMe for this year’s TCS New York City Marathon on November 3, 2019. The team consists of 26 runners who are viewed as inspirational and embody the transformative power of running. The group will share their own personal journeys and impactful stories, which will be shared on the televised broadcast on WABC and ESPN, as well as on social media and other news outlets. Bryan accepted this invitation to this year’s team in order to raise awareness for Spina Bifida, which his son was born with in September of 2018. He also hopes to inspire others, including his students, by demonstrating how running has helped him with overcoming life’s obstacles and challenges. You can watch the story as well as the coverage of the event on the day of the marathon on ABC from 7am-2pm and ESPN from 9am-12pm.
For more information, please visit: https://www.nyrr.org/media-center/press-release/20191015_tcsnycm-tmm-release

Photography Field Trip to Princeton University Inspires County Prep Students

On October 2nd, Mr. Patten led a group of students on a Structured Learning Experience at Princeton University. His Junior and Senior Photography classes were joined by Ms. Martinez's Audio/Visual Junior class and some students from Ms. Mulrain's Senior Art class. The students took advantage of the university's beautiful campus to learn about portraits, landscapes, architecture, and garden photography. Their pictures showcase the unique features of Princeton's architecture and the natural beauty they were able to capture on campus.

Emily Bowen, County Prep Senior, Awarded Claes Nobel Academic Scholarship

County Prep High School Principal Ms. Barbara Mendolla is proud to announce that 12th grader Emily Bowen has been awarded the prestigious Claes Nobel Academic Scholarship 2019. The award comes from the National Society of High School Scholars. According to NSHSS Chair, Emily's honor "highlights her accomplishments in leadership, scholarship, and a commitment to service." Emily is a Medical Science major and upon graduation she would like to pursue a degree in Biology and a career in the medical field.
Congratulations, Emily, from the entire County Prep community.

County Prep Students Attend FIT Field Trip

September 24,2019 - County Prep students visited Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), one of the leading fashion schools in the world, to attend a lecture on the history of fashion by one of the museum curators. It was exciting to see original garments from 1980 to 1990 by some of the most famous designers. Students also had the opportunity to view two exhibits: “Paris – Capital of Fashion” and “Minimalism and Maximalism.” 

COUNTY PREP STUDENTS WIN GOLD MEDALS AT FCCLA NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Students from County Prep represented New Jersey in FCCLA's Annual National Leadership Conference, in California this past July. Esmeralda Garcia competed in the "Fashion Design" event, and Nicole Lucero-Huerta and Eshita Jain competed in the "Entrepreneurship" event. Each student was rewarded with a gold medal. This year's theme was "Believe in Yourself," and the students learned many things as they participated in competitive events and listened to motivational speakers. Each student had to present their work in front of a panel of judges. In the "Fashion Design" Event, students had to create four designs, a portfolio, and make one garment. In this event, Esmeralda received a score of 99. In the "Entrepreneurship" event, the students had to create a business and make a portfolio. Nicole and Eshita received a score of 98. About 8,000 students from all over the United States and its territories came to participate in competitive events. Each student received pins that were decorated to represent their home state, and the students were able to meet with people from across the country and trade pins with them. 

County Prep Dance Summer in the City Performance

For the second year, County Prep Dance instructor Heather Warfel Sandler produced 'Dance for the Ages', part of the Summer in the City series presented by Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, JC Office of Cultural Affairs, and the JC Municipal Council.

On July 10th Ms.Warfel Sandler gathered dancers aged 8-48 to celebrate the vibrant dance community of Jersey City.  Current County Prep dancers performed 3 pieces from their 2019 annual concert. Several County Prep Dance alumni also came back to perform in the concert. John Hines, class of 2010, performed a traditional West African duet with Nia Reid Allen, and Ms.Warfel Sandler choreographed and performed a new work called "Transcendance" with Diana Uribe, class of 2016.  County Prep's company director Madelyn Eltringham performed a solo. 2017 & 2018 CHIRP residents Katelyn Halpern and Khadija Ahmaddiya also presented work with their professional companies. The evening ended with a revival of 'Community' choreographed by Ross Sandler, featuring both current County Prep dance students, alumni, and Ms.Warfel.

The concert, performed on the Owen J.Grundy Pier at Exchange Place in Jersey City, also featured professional choreographers and companies Olawudamillare Ayorinde and Spacejunk Dance, as well as local dance studio Jersey City Dance Academy.  The event brought out a huge crowd to kick off the 2019 summer dance series, and was celebrated as a great success by the cast, audience, and presenters.

"The dance scene in Jersey City is thriving, and we are very fortunate that our students have the opportunity to integrate into the professional dance community.  Seeing dancers of various ages and experience come together to celebrate this art form is very exciting and inspiring." -Ms.Warfel Sandler

High Tech French Honor Society Holds Its 2019 Induction Ceremony

(Secaucus, NJ--June 20, 2019) The High Tech High School French Honor Society held its annual induction ceremony, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

The following students have been inducted into FHS: Bayonne residents Kate Neal and Lucas Neukirchner; Fiona Bezhani of Guttenberg; Valerie Calligy, Isabella Gibbs-Garcia, and Mary O’Brien of Hoboken; Jersey City residents Molly Burch, Janna Kawtari, Sally Mangassa, and Fatou Mbaye; Martin da Silva, Jane Eid and Nicolette Zika of Kearny; Secaucus resident Nicky Sanchez; Erycka and Leslie Castro and Katherine Rodriguez of Union City; Emmily Hernandez and Marilyn Jimenez of West New York.

In addition, seniors Sylvia Goldfond and Andrew Tran, both Kearny residents, and Sarah Bacha and Diana Concepcion of North Bergen received their FHS chords and tassels for graduation.

High Tech’s Janine Garcia and Sabrina Peralta Receive 2019 AATF Excellence in French Awards

(New York, NY--June 20, 2019) The American Association of Teachers of French has nominated High Tech students Janine Garcia of North Bergen and Union City resident Sabrina Peralta for a 2019 AATF Excellence in French Award, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

Both seniors, Garcia and Peralta took French for four years in High Tech and Study Abroad Class in 2018. They participated in different activities during these four years, such as French café, Grounds for Sculpture trip, Poetry contest, and Crepe Day at High Tech.

High Tech Students Visit Hard Rock Café’s Rock & Roll Artifacts

(New York, NY--May 31, 2019) Students from Robert Dillon’s Rock & Roll Literature class embarked on a trip to the Hard Rock Café for lunch and to visit the famous restaurant chain’s storied collection of rock & roll artifacts, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

Students could read hand-written song lyrics from long-dead rock & roll pioneers John Lennon and Harry Chapin, alongside a leather jacket adorned by the late punk rocker Johnny Ramone and a glamorous suit worn by the equally-deceased David Bowie.

“I was so excited to see some of Bowie’s memorabilia,” Says Daisy Levine, a resident of Hoboken. “I’m a huge fan. I just love his music.”

The same building, erected in 1926, that functions as the home for the Hard Rock Café had housed the historic Paramount Theater, where famous performers such as Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Buddy Holly, and Frank Sinatra once entertained the masses.

Dillon’s class also received a special tour of the world-famous marquee. Students had the opportunity to stand on the marquee and view Times Square from an angle few people ever get a chance to do.

“I felt like a VIP,” says Ethan Carrera, a resident of North Bergen.

High Tech Students Visit MET’s Rock & Roll Relics Exhibit

(New York, NY--May 1, 2019) Students from Robert Dillon’s Rock & Roll Literature class embarked on a field trip to The Metropolitan Museum of Art to visit a special exhibit that focused on Rock & Roll relics, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

The exhibit, co-organized with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, presented roughly 130 instruments and advertisement posters and tour costumes. Spectators paid witness to many of rock's most recognized instruments, representing artists from across generations and subgenres.

“It was a great chance to see items that we had only read about in class,” says Dillon. “On display were instruments from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and other historic rock bands.”

For the first time, a major museum exhibited rock & roll instruments. One of the most vital artistic movements ever, rock & roll had a seismic influence that defined our modern-day culture.

“It was awesome,” adds Aidan Gonzalez, a resident of Hoboken. “Seeing the guitar that Jimi Hendrix played was awe-inspiring.”

Early rock musicians relied on the wail of the electric guitar and distortion of early amplifiers, a sound that became forever associated with rock music. Fans have long been interested in the instruments.

“It was interesting to see Jerry Lee Lewis’s gold baby grand piano next to Lady Gaga’s piano,” notes Amelia Osborne, a resident of Weehawken.

Many fans, both amateur and professional, have sought and acquired exact models of instruments and equipment used by their rock & roll idols, and have spent countless hours trying to emulate their music and look. These instruments in the exhibit had a profound impact on this art form.

“I liked the Metallica exhibit,” says Nicole Vilca, a resident of West New York. “It looked like [the group] had a lot of fun on stage.”

High Tech Hiking Club Goes on Camping Trip to Stokes State Forest

(Sussex County, NJ--June 19, 2019) The Hiking Club embarked on its first annual camping trip to Stokes State forest, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

Chaperones included High Tech Hiking Club moderator Ronald Kliesh, Dr. Shelly Witham, Sergio Gamarra, Ella Skinner, and HCST Superintendent Amy-Lin Rodriguez.

First High Tech High School Freshman Class at Frank J. Gargiulo Campus Celebrates End of School Year at Dave and Busters

(Wayne, NJ--June 19, 2019) The High Tech Class of 2022 celebrated its first year at High Tech and its distinction as being the first freshman class to spend its entire tenure at the Frank J. Gargiulo Campus with an end of year field trip to Dave and Busters, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

Chaperones for the field trip included Ronald Kliesh, Valeria Arias, Dr. Laje Gashi, Priscilla Isip, Cheryl Lauto, Dr. Mychelle Warren Perez, Carrie Rapapport, Eleanor Chiconelli, Pedro Gongora, Michael Diamond, Tim Brennon, Joseph Ona, Alcides Diaz, Jose Diaz, Michael Buscio, Louis Minervini, and Antonio Fuda.