HCSTF Boost Brings Robotics to Explore 2000

May 16, 2014 (North Bergen, NJ) –Students at Explore 2000 Middle School in Jersey City have been introduced to a new Robotics Club thanks to financial assistance from the HCST Foundation (HCSTF), announced Linda J. Quentzel, Executive Director of the HCST Foundation.

The Robotics Club is part of the First LEGO League® (FLL), a global initiative for 9 – 14 year olds that challenges students to utilize Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) concepts to build robots from LEGO components. Teams bring their robots to local FLL tournaments where the machines complete tasks or “missions” in a competitive setting.

The Explore 2000 team, known as the E2K Lego-bots, has started strong. Christopher Cosavecchia, a student in the program, explains: “I am excited to be part of E2K: Lego-Bots because I get to be creative and use my imagination to build anything that comes to mind.”

Ms. Carrie Rapaport, who is the club’s moderator says, “I am excited to work on an activity that incorporates team building, character education and valuable STEM skills in a fun, creative environment.”

Executive Director Quentzel adds, “STEM-related careers are on the rise in America, and a Robotics program for local middle school students is crucial to getting students into STEM fields. We take pride in our efforts at providing a foundation for a better future via the robotics program at Explore 2000.”

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County Prep Culinary Arts Students Awarded Medals in Statewide Competition

(Atlantic City, NJ - May 9th, 2014) County Prep Culinary Arts students competed in the 2014 County Vocational Technical School Cook-Off Challenge held at Caesars Palladium Ballroom. The team’s gastronomic expertise was recognized by the judges and they were awarded two gold medals, one silver medal and one bronze medal in the competiton.

County Prep seniors Jeremy Burdnicki, Alana Felton, Silvia Galarza, Lisette Molina, Tiffany Moreno and Amed Sayedahmed displayed their culinary skills in the statewide competition. The students were guided and accompanied by Chef Kevin Collins and Chef Joe Delesky. The winning dish was a Seared Thai Crab Cake.

Principal Barbara Mendolla is proud to announce that medals were received in the following categories: 

People’s Choice Award         Gold

Taste                                    Chef’s Award Gold

Food Presentation                NJAC Judges Award Silver

Taste                                    Chef's Award Bronze

Three County Prep Student Receive Awards in Poetry Contest

Congratulations to the World Language students who participated in the Poetry Recitation Contest at William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ on Thursday, May 15th.

Principal Barbara Mendolla is pleased to announce that awards were given to the following students:

Cristina Blanguerra        Honorable Mention         Chinese Intermediate Level
Walter Gottlieb              2nd Place                       Chinese Advance Level
Rodaina Ahmed             2nd Place                       Spanish Intermediate Level

County Prep Senior William Toledo Places in Cisco NetRiders Competition

(May 2, 2014) Principal Barbara Mendolla is proud to annouce that County Prep senior William Toledo achieved 10th place in the US/Canada Cisco NetRiders international internetworking competition. This year's Netriders CCENT competition involved over 1,000 students from 28 states and 4 provinces.

The NetRiders competition is an interactive IT/Networking skills challenge, and involves both written questions and simulation activities.


Cisco created NetRiders in order to offer a fun, educational challenge for students to compete with their peers in a real-time environment that showcases their IT/Networking skills. In addition, NetRiders helps to identify top talent for potential employment opportunities. For Instructors, NetRiders is a great opportunity to provide students with opportunities to develop and demonstrate their leadership outside the traditional classroom curriculum.

In addition to international recognition for his skills, William won a $100 gift card and certificate.

Congratulations to William and instructor Mike Grele!

Click to go to Cisco Networking Academy

Sparrow Spring Wine & Beer Tasting Event Nets Funding for High Tech

May 14, 2014 (North Bergen, NJ) – The HCST Foundation, in conjunction with the Sparrow Wine & Liquor Company and the High Tech High School Parent-Teacher Association, hosted the inaugural Sparrow Spring Wine & Beer Tasting Event at the Elks Lodge in Hoboken on May 1st, 2014, announced Linda J. Quentzel, Executive Director of the HCST Foundation.

The event, which featured both local and international vendors of wine, beer and spirits, earned over $10,000 in donations for the students of High Tech High School. These funds will be utilized to support a variety of learning endeavors—from field experiences to scholarships—at the National Blue Ribbon Award-winning high school.

"This was a successful night for the High Tech community as a whole," says Ms. Allyson Krone, Assistant Principal of High Tech High school. "Teachers and administrators were able to join parents and local business members to network and have some fun for the benefit of our students," Krone continued.

Ms. Quentzel adds, "The Foundation is grateful for the support of the Sparrow Wine & Liquor Company whose efforts made this night possible."

The HCST Foundation hopes to continue their successful fundraising efforts with the annual HCST Golf Outing on July 1st, 2014. Interested parties can contact Ms. Linda J. Quentzel via the HCST Foundation website www.hcstonline.org/foundation.

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Explore 2000: Hooked On The Hudson

The Hudson River Fishermen’s Association and the Palisades Interstate Park of New Jersey held its 29th annual “Hooked on the Hudson,” fundraising event on Saturday, May 3rd, at the Ross Dock picnic area in Fort Lee.

The event is designed to introduce people to the Hudson River and all that it has to offer. There were environmental groups on hand to provide information, as well as fishing and casting contests for the kids.

Our talented hands-on facilitator, John Ponticorvo, explains the importance of the trip for our students, “The trip enabled the Explore students to view the Hudson and the Palisade Cliffs from a different perspective. Besides being exposed to the recreational sport of fishing, the students were given an introduction to their future study and investigation of the historical richness of the region as well as its natural beauty. In the fall, the students will also study the environmental threats to these same natural resources they enjoyed today”.

Explore 2000 learned about clean boating practices from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Division 10 and they also learned and practiced fly casting with Trout Unlimited. We learned about what it means to leave your Carbon Footprint behind, and we also signed petitions to save the historical cliffs that George Washington once climbed, fleeing from the British. 1st year student Angelina Ponce reflects on the trip and says, “For one of my first few times fishing, I had fun with my friends, and also got to learn how to cast.”

Although our Explore 2000 family didn’t have any luck catching any fish, we learned a lot, we were able to practice our fishing safety, and we had a ton of fun.

Two County Prep 2009 Graduates Display Artwork at NJCU End of Year Show

Christopher Mineses and Daniel Jones, 2009 graduates of County Prep High School, recently displayed their artwork during their BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) end of year show at New Jersey City University. The show ran from Monday, April 7 – Thursday, April 10 in the NJCU Visual Arts Building. The event began with a reception on Monday evening.

“Instant Gratification,” the title of Christopher Mineses’ show is a reflection of his personal philosophy, both in his life and in his art. Chris’ passion for achieving a sense of balance and gratification is expressed through his love of visual art and music.



He states that the misconception of Hip-Hop culture is what inspires him to disprove the negative stereotypes associated with the genre, and to relate how this music has impacted events on his journey to adulthood. His goal was to create a visual timeline of his life in order to leave the viewer with a better understanding of who he is.

Hope and Love are themes that are easily identifiable in Daniel Jones’ artwork. His talent of combining text and imagery proves that words, though small in size, are powerful. It is his belief that words convey deep, powerful messages that can inspire, teach, and remind us that we are loved. He wants the viewer to understand these messages and apply them to their own lives. Daniel’s hope is that his choice of verses will comfort, inspire and give hope to his audience.

Principal Barbara Mendolla congratulations Chris and Daniel and wishes them continued success.