College and Career Fair at County Prep High School

County Prep hosted a college and career fair on February 11th, 2020. There were many hands that helped to orchestrate this event from administrators, teachers, counselors, Ms. Galluccio and Ms. DeGise to maintenance and security staff, transportation staff and our Chefs and students in the Culinary Program. Colleges, universities, as well as the military and apprenticeship programs were in attendance. There were 48 organizations representing New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Illinois and Florida including: Rutgers University, NJIT, The New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, Stevens Tech, SUNY, CUNY, Johnson and Wales, University of South Florida, University of Pittsburgh, United States Army National Guard, The Stagehand Apprenticeship Program, and Eastern Millwork. The event allowed about 150 of our juniors who were in attendance to gather information about potential colleges and scholarships, the military and other career options in a “one-stop-shop” situation. We hope to host the fair again next year and thank everyone for their support.

County Prep’s Theatre Arts Students Perform in the Sixth Annual Improv Show and Fundraiser

(February 7th, 2020) Only two weeks after our very successful run of Chicago, the Musical, County Prep Theatre Arts improvisers performed in our Sixth Annual Improv Show, which consisted of one act made of skits created through improvisation by the Improv class and a second act improvised on the spot by all Theatre Arts performers, and created with audience participation. The audience picked places, relationships, gave quotes from movies to be integrated in the games, and gave ideas as to which turn a skit could take.

The show was hosted by Senior Yvelisse Vargas, in the first act, and by Seniors Tyla Gibson and Dynajah Smith in the second act. The members of the Improv after school class Juniors Ivellisses Segovia, Nyellie Muniz, James Quach and Kaine Malachi, Sophomores Fred Veloz, Jaden Misaro, Matthew Segovia, Ethan Barragan, Madison Roman, Michele Oshiro and Freshmen Arianna Czaplicki, Kawtar Laouej, Selsabil Belmokhtar and Elleria Perez were joined by special guests Freshman Alexandria Nunez, Sophomore Reanna Cruz, Juniors Kayla Velazquez, Alyssa Anglade, and Seniors Yvellise Vargas, Tyla Gibson and Dynajah Smith.

The improvisers won the heart of the audience performing games such as Freeze Tag, Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Exits and Entrances, Sitting, Standing, Lying, Taxi, What Are you Trying to Say?, Director, Here Comes Jill, and What Happens Next?

Ms. Shields is extremely proud of her extraordinary creative improvisers as well as the technical crew of the evening; student lighting, and sound technicians, Junior Eianna Martinez, and Senior Sheily Mateos, our costume designer Senior Esmeralda Garcia, and and house managers Esther Placide, Alexandria Nunez and Reanna Cruz. Thank you to all performers and crew for such a fun and amazing performance!


 

County Prep Photography Students Win 8 Judges Awards at The Pingry School Exhibition

The Commercial Photography Department is happy to announce that a record 8 County Prep students have won Judges Awards in the annual Pingry School Photography Exhibition. The students represent 9th grade through 12th grade in the program. Their winning photographs are pictured here. Principal Ms. Barbara Mendolla and Mr. Gerard Patten would like to congratulate all the students who participated in this event.

Freshmen

Fady Kelada - Odell Hands

Sariah Olivera - Snow Day

Sophomores

Grace Bertrand - Family

Casey Kelly - Rustic

Juniors

Jaiden Betancourt – Merry Poppins

Aneesa Cortez – Into the Woods

Ashleigh Hernandez – The Upside Down

Senior

Sherwin Dewan - Perspective

Eastern Millwork - Holz Technik Academy Apprenticeship Program Presents to County Prep Students

Structured Learning Experience -  Eastern Millwork - Holz Technik Academy Apprenticeship Program

Peter J. Mielach from Eastern Millwork  presented to students at County Prep High School on Friday, December 6, 2019.  The apprenticeship program is a career opportunity for high school graduates interested in technology and manufacturing.  Easterm Millwork has partnered with Hudson County Community College to create a model whereby students receive on-the-job training and an associate's degree concurrently.  Students learned about potential career pathways that can be launched as part of this “Earn While You Learn” initiative.

 A special thank you is extended to Eastern Millwork for partnering with our district.

Culinary Arts Students from County Prep HS Participate in Culinary Program at HCCC

County Prep Culinary Arts students visited Hudson County Community College multiple times from September through February 2020 to participate in the “ Extended Culinary Student for the Day” program. The students were afforded the opportunity to work "one-on-one" with a renowned chef to prepare dishes selected by the students. During the last session, County Prep culinary students showcased their talents by preparing scrumptious ribs, spicy buffalo chicken, delightful macaroni and cheese, exotic potatoes, and deep fried grilled cheese sandwiches. The opportunity to partake in “hands-on” activities gave the students a glimpse of culinary arts on a college level. Overall, it was an invaluable structured learning experience that defined a potential career option for our students. A special thank-you is extended to Ms. Nunez and Chef Puc at Hudson County Community for their efforts to bring this SLE to fruition.

Ms. Rubio's Graphic Design Students Visit Microsoft for Structured Learning Experience

On Friday, January 17, 2020, County Prep students from Ms. Rubio's graphic design class participated in a Job Shadowing event at Microsoft located in Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus, New Jersey.  Upon arrival, the students attended a presentation on the history of Microsoft and the numerous career opportunities available within the organization.  The students engaged in numerous interactive activities throughout the day utilizing the products in the state-of-the-art facility. The Microsoft coordinator shared her personal experience as to her expected and yet unexpected pathway that led to a career at the company.  The day ended with a complimentary luncheon provided by Junior Achievement.   This Structured Learning Experience (SLE)  complemented classroom instruction and increased students' awareness of the skills needed to excel in this setting.

National Job Shadow Day a Success for County Prep Students

National Job Shadow Day - Monday, February 3, 2020

On Monday, February 3rd, Ms. Rubio's graphic design class and Ms. Pica's audio visual students  participated in a Job Shadowing event at Wiley & Sons located in Hoboken, New Jersey sponsored by Junior Achievement.  Upon arrival, Mr. Jesse Wiley welcomed the students and spoke about the history of Wiley & Sons which is an educational publishing firm that offers an array of educational products. The students participated in a Panel Discussion  which provided an opportunity for a Q&A with practicing professionals representative of different career trajectories within Wiley. The students interacted with employees to seek advice and guidance in preparation for their  post-secondary aspirations.  Wiley & Sons' employees shared their personal experiences as to their expected and yet unexpected career pathways. There was a presentation on Graphic Design and UX  for Digital Education which focused on Digital Management & the Next Generation of WileyPlus.  Before the day concluded, the students participated in "5 Minute Speed Interviews" with employees resulting in being interviewed multiple times by different employees.  The "lightning round" of interviews was designed to give students a flavor for different interviewing styles and questioning techniques.  Overall, County Prep students thoroughly enjoyed the experience and now have an increased awareness of potential career opportunities within Wiley & Sons.  A special thank-you is extended to Ms. Rubio and Ms. Pica for preparing their classes for the program and chaperoning the event.  

County Prep Artist Achieves Top Awards in NJ Regional Scholastic Art and Writing Contest

Shannon Carratini-Hatcher, a senior at County Prep High School, has won a Gold Key Award for both her individual pieces and her art portfolio in the NJ Regional Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. She is among only 41 student awardees in the state, and of those only 12 were awarded a Gold Key for their Art Portfolio. Shannon will be honored at Montclair Art Museum in February; her Gold Key pieces will go on to the national judging round. Principal Ms. Mendolla and the County Prep community wish her the best of luck as she advances.