HCSTF Helps Slam Poetry Club Keep Climbing

March 24, 2014 (North Bergen, NJ) – Andrea Gibson, renowned spoken word artist, will visit High Tech High School for an in-depth poetry workshop and a performance this June thanks to a partial grant from the HCST Foundation, announced Linda J. Quentzel, Executive Director of the Foundation.

Gibson’s visit, which was facilitated by Mr. Brian Mooney who teaches English at High Tech, will focus on students in High Tech’s Slam Poetry Club, which Mr. Mooney moderates.

“Bringing Andrea Gibson to High Tech builds on the past success of the Slam Poetry Club and ‘Word Up,’ our signature event,” says Mooney. Previous guest poets have included Pushcart Prize-winner Jon Sands and Shira Erlichman (Shira E.), whose work has appeared on NPR and other national television outlets.

Gibson, who was the inaugural champ at the Women’s World Poetry Slam and whose work has been featured in major news outlets around the world, was requested by the students. Ms. Gibson’s visit offers students the chance to learn from a respected working artist in a professional workshop setting. She will also perform her award-winning poetry as the Featured Poet at the “Word Up” showcase.

“The grant is truly a blessing,” continues Ms. Horan, “Without the Foundation’s help the students would have had to supplement the extra cost of a custom tour on their own.”

Linda J. Quentzel, Executive Director of the HCST Foundation, says, “Helping students experience the world in a memorable way is at the heart of the Foundation’s mission, and we are excited to help this group see beyond their neighborhoods.”

“Few schools across the country are as supportive of hip hop and spoken word projects, curriculum and events, as HCST,” says Mooney, “The Foundation grant represents the district’s real commitment to experiential and student-interest driven learning.”

Linda J. Quentzel, Executive Director of the HCST Foundation, said, “The Slam Poetry Club has allowed students a unique literacy learning experience. Mr. Mooney and his students represent the kind of student-oriented, real-world learning that we are always proud to sponsor.”

Mr. Mooney and his Slam Poetry club plan to compete in the 2015 Brave New Voices competition and hope to bring poets like Gibson and Sands back as resident artists in the future.

HCST Foundation Supports County Prep High School’s Francophone

March 14, 2014 (North Bergen, NJ) – Twenty students in Ms. Karen Horan’s French class at County Prep High School will have the opportunity for a unique French immersion experience in an overseas trip partly sponsored by the HCST Foundation, announced Executive Director, Linda J. Quentzel.

The trip will take students through France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland on a private tour custom-tailored to their educational needs. Students will hone their French-speaking skills among native speakers at such cultural interest points as the Louvre, Giverny, Versailles, and the Palais des Nations.

The European Francophone trip exposes the participants to a variety of countries, experiences and cultures all of which use the French language to communicate while students are able to connect the past to the future.

Ms. Horan says, “Traveling abroad will provide students with a unique and challenging opportunity to broaden their perspectives of the global community and connect what they have learned in the classroom in new ways.”

“The grant is truly a blessing,” continues Ms. Horan, “Without the Foundation’s help the students would have had to supplement the extra cost of a custom tour on their own.”

Linda J. Quentzel, Executive Director of the HCST Foundation, says, “Helping students experience the world in a memorable way is at the heart of the Foundation’s mission, and we are excited to help this group see beyond their neighborhoods.”

The trip embarks on April 17 and has students back on American soil on Monday, April 28th.

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Caren Freyer DeSouza Moves from HCSTF Advisory Council to Trustee

March 12, 2014 (North Bergen, NJ) – Caren Freyer DeSouza, whose work in the fields of education and public utilities in Hudson County and surrounding areas, has been named to the Hudson County Schools of Technology Foundation’s Board of Trustees, announced Linda J. Quentzel, Executive Director of the Foundation.

Ms. DeSouza’s appointment reflects her career of accomplishments at the intersection of industry and education. Currently the Regional Public Affairs Manager of Hudson and South East Bergen Counties for utilities giant PSEG, DeSouza also serves on the Board of Overseers at NJIT, where she is the liaison to the Board of Trustees University Master Plan.

Mr. Spierenburg holds a baccalaureate degree in Telecommunications from Indiana University, where he also minored in User Interface design. Rob also served eight years as a communications specialist in the United States Army. To keep his skills current and stay at the forefront of the ever-evolving world of user interface design, Mr. Spierenburg attends all of the major industry trade shows.

“I am humbled at the opportunity to serve on the Board of Trustees,” says DeSouza, “For the sake of the greater Hudson County community, I’m eager to assist the students and faculty at HCST develop STEM and other cutting edge programs that will promote an already excellent education program to a world class level.”

Ms. DeSouza has also served—on behalf of Newark Mayor Corey Booker—as the Chair of the Youth Investment Council throughout the construction of two of Newark’s most successful and nationally recognized schools, Science Park and Central High School. She is a member of the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Committee as well as the Hudson County Workforce Investment Board.

“Caren’s background in public service—particularly her service work with education and her professional work in utilities—makes her an ideal candidate to help the Foundation advance its’ mission,” says HCSTF Executive Director Linda J. Quentzel.

An academic herself, Ms. DeSouza earned a dual degree in Political Science and Political Administration from Kean University in Union, NJ, where she graduated Cum Laude. She is the proud mother of three college-educated children.

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HCST Foundation Advisory Council Welcomes Patrick Kelleher

March 5, 2014 (North Bergen, NJ) – Patrick Kelleher, President of the Hudson County Building and Construction Trades, has been unanimously approved as the newest member of the HCST Foundation’s (HCSTF) Advisory Council, announced Linda J. Quentzel, Executive Director of the Foundation.

March 5, 2014 (North Bergen, NJ) – Patrick Kelleher, President of the Hudson County Building and Construction Trades, has been unanimously approved as the newest member of the HCST Foundation’s (HCSTF) Advisory Council, announced Linda J. Quentzel, Executive Director of the Foundation.

In addition to his vocational accomplishments, Mr. Kelleher brings to the Foundation a history of volunteerism, devoting 22 years to the Christmas in April/Rebuilding Together project.

Linda J. Quentzel, Executive Director of the HCST Foundation, says, “Mr. Kelleher’s accomplishments in the building and construction trades are an asset for the students in our vocational district, especially as we continue to strive towards the highest standards of industry practices.”

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Albert Harary, of Martin Albert Interiors, Newest HCSTF Council Member

March 4, 2014 (North Bergen, NJ) – The HCST Foundation has unanimously approved Albert Harary as the newest member of their esteemed Advisory Council. As the co-founder of Martin Albert Interiors, a premiere furniture design firm based in NYC, Al brings over thirty years of successful design and business expertise to the Foundation.

Mr. Harary’s work in the film and television industries had earned him an Emmy award. His work can be seen on screen everywhere from HBO’s Sex and the City to the recently renovated Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Tyra Banks has called Martin Albert Interior’s “the premiere designer and workshop in New York City.”

Mr. Harary’s success is owed to his passion for design and hands-on customer service approach: Al consults on-site with television and film clients as well as clients in the hospitality field. Known for his efficient problem solving, Mr. Harary has earned a reputation for honesty and productivity. Accordingly, Mr. Harary oversees the construction and fabrication of all Martin Albert pieces to ensure quality and timeliness.

In addition to his newly appointed position on the HCST Foundation Advisory Council, Mr. Harary is also a member of the Network of Executive Women in Hospitality. He is also a champion poker player, taking home the gold ring in the 2009 World Series of Poker at an event in Caesar’s Palace in Atlantic City, NJ.

“Al Harary is a significant addition to our Advisory Council,” says Linda J. Quentzel, Executive Director of the HCST Foundation. “Al’s knowledge in the world of furniture design will have a tremendous impact on the students in our district.”

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