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