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Bulldog SpotlightAhmed Chowdhury
Ahmed Raza Chowdhury of Paterson still remembers his freshman orientation like it was yesterday. Sitting in a packed auditorium with his fellow PCTVS newcomers, excited and nervous, he could barely sit still. “I’ll never forget the emotions of that day. It was the beginning of the next chapter of my life.”
Ahmed Chowdhury is now a senior standout student in PCTI’s Academy of Information Technology where his focus is Computer Science. His current GPA is 4.48 and he ranks in the top one percent in his class. “I feel so honored and exhilarated to be named student of the month. It is a privilege to carry on this title.” When he’s not in the classroom, Ahmed likes to stay busy with his numerous volunteer and extracurricular activities. He has volunteered at the New Jersey Community Development Center where he has aided in numerous food drives, Global Youth Services Days, clean-ups of the Great Falls area, as well as other community service events. While here on campus, Ahmed is a student ambassador for organizations such as the National Honor Society, Student Council, and PCTVEA, where he has guided our annual Campus Tours, assisted in Freshman orientation, graduation ceremonies, and food drives. His hard work and dedication all relates back to some great advice he has for his fellow students. “Do not procrastinate! Set a schedule at least two weeks in advance and study in increments rather than all in one shot.” In the future, Ahmed hopes to further his software development experience by seeking certification in software development CompTIA A+, and PenTest+. Ahmed would love to attend either NJIT, Cornell, or Carnegie Mellon and become a software developer for Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple, or Microsoft. He also eventually hopes to obtain a teacher certification and become a Professor in Computer Science in an accredited college. Congratulations to this bright and ambitious young man. You have made PCTVS proud! We wish you all the best in the future! Highlights
Sahaf Chowdhury
Our October Student of the Month, Sahaf Chowdhury, who hails from Clifton, is one of the premier students in the School of Communication Arts where he studies Graphic Design and 3D Animation. He has some wise words for his fellow students, “Raise your standards. If you want to get good grades, learn balance and always experiment with different ways of dealing with your priorities to see what works best for you.”
He sets high goals for himself which is reflected in his current GPA of 4.453. He ranks in the top 1% of his class. “I’m really interested in the process of learning rapidly, so I like to spend a lot of time learning something new or improving a skill.” Here at PCTVS, Sahaf is part of the Marching Band, American Legion Jersey Boys State (2021), PCTI Performing Arts Club, participated in the PCTVS 9/11 Memorial Video, Gifted and Talented Club, PCTVS Concert Band, National Honor Society, and Boys State/Girls State Patriotic Events volunteer. Away from school, Sahaf enjoys reading books about new interests or working on skills like singing, drawing, dancing, or learning an instrument. He also likes to exercise by bike riding around a local park, play video games, and spend quality time with his friends. Sahaf’s future goal is to continue working on his design skills until he reaches a level where he could be considered “among one of the best in the world.” Along the way, he’s set his secondary education goals high and wants to study graphic design at any one of several amazing colleges like Yale, Princeton, Rhode Island School of Design, and/or Columbia University. Sahaf modestly considers himself a role model to younger students, “I would consider myself a role model. I’m involved within the school, I work hard towards my classes and extracurriculars, and I’m always trying to grow as a person.” Congratulations to this ambitious and hardworking Bulldog! You are on the road to a bright and successful future! Highlights
Alexandra Drzewosz
Alexandra Drzewosz is a highly motivated and intelligent young woman from Clifton, and she is the first ever STEM Academy Student of the Month. “When my counselor first emailed me, I truly thought I was in some kind of trouble; luckily I was not! I am definitely shocked, honored, and pleasantly surprised” Alexandra is an outstanding member of STEM’s Computer Science pathway and currently holds a 4.514 GPA and ranks in the top 2% of her class.
While on campus, Alexandra competed in many coding and technology competitions such as STEAM Tank and NJSTEM Together Challenge, where she was the Lead Developer for both projects. She also was the Project Manager for the annual STEM Expo and volunteers for our PCTVS Campus Tours as a Student Ambassador. She is a member of Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Gifted and Talented, Skills USA, National Honor Society and has attended Rowan University’s “Think Like an Entrepreneur” Program. In her free time, Alexandra volunteers for organizations that concern themselves with education for younger kids, because she feels it is extremely important to provide everyone with quality education as well as extra resources for the students that are eager to learn. Alexandra’s future goals include attending a prestigious university and earning a double major Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, with Princeton University as her dream school. No matter where she goes, Alexandra has made PCTVS and the STEM Academy very proud! Alexandra added, “I have always viewed the success of my classmates as inspiration for myself and what I could do as well. It is really fulfilling to be acknowledged, especially since I am from the first graduating class of the STEM Academy – it is an important and proud moment for me, which I will remember forever. Go Bulldogs!” Congratulations and Best of Luck to this gifted and ambitious young woman. Keep achieving your dreams! Highlights
Roohan Patel
Roohan Patel is a senior hailing from Clifton who has always held strong interests in science and health. It is no wonder that this Bulldog found his home in the Academy of Medical Arts. There, for the past four years, a combination of academic savvy and hard work have ensured Roohan’s recognition as the May Student of the Month and Valedictorian of the Class of 2021!
Roohan attributes a great deal of his incredible success to the unique opportunities provided by PCTI. “One of the biggest factors in my decision to go to school here was having access to an educational experience that would really prepare me for further studies in the field of medicine. Being in a program that directly links to my career path helped to maintain my passion and motivate me to do well,” he said. With an impressive 4.54 GPA, Roohan’s determination and hard work have paid off. In September he will be attending Seton Hall University as part of an innovative 7-year joint degree program. After the completion of a bachelor’s degree, he will be given priority in being accepted to the School of Medicine. While he has yet to decide which field of medicine he will pursue, Roohan’s ideal position would place him on the front lines of patient care, perhaps as an emergency room physician. Outside of academics, Roohan's willingness to give back is evident. He is currently volunteering his time helping at a nursing home. Also, as President of the National Honor Society, he organized a food drive and participated in Wreaths Across America. "It is always a gratifying feeling when the school community comes together to do something for the greater good," he said. "More than anything, I want to continue to give back and be known for my philanthropy." Looking back on his high school career, Roohan's advice to his peers is to believe in yourself and know that where there is a will, there is a way. "There were times, especially during the pandemic, when it was hard to stay motivated. But if you set a goal that is meaningful to you and work hard, you can overcome any hurdle," he said. Congratulations, Roohan, on your amazing success! We have no doubt that your future is bright! Highlights
Lynda Majagah
Salutatorian and May Student of the Month Lynda Majagah was drawn to the medical field at an early age. When she spent the summer of 3rd grade visiting her grandmother in the cancer ward, she witnessed and acutely felt the struggles of patients and their families. She realized then that her empathetic nature would be best put to use by pursuing the study of medicine.
Coming from the small district of Haledon, Lynda opted for PCTI not only because she knew the Academy of Medical Arts was a perfect fit for her future career goals, but also to push herself outside of her comfort zone in meeting new people. She is grateful that PCTI has delivered on her expectations. "I knew everyone in my small school district, so I really wanted to expand my horizons. I came here because I wanted to challenge myself both educationally and socially," she said. With 14 honors and AP courses under her belt and a GPA of 4.52, Lynda's commitment to her studies is apparent. After graduation, she will be attending Ramapo College, where she will be majoring in Biology. She plans to attend medical school, and her ultimate career goal is to become a trauma surgeon. Beyond her obvious academic success, Lynda has rounded out her high school experience by being an active member of HOSA and serving as a Class Representative. In the community, she has volunteered with the Father English Food Pantry in Paterson, which serves over 5,000 people each month. "Going to help package and distribute food, and seeing the line wrapped around the corner, is really a humbling experience," said Lynda. Reflecting on her time at PCTI, Lynda feels the most valuable lesson was taught to her by Mr. Rosenfeld in her US History class. "As a student who usually does well, making mistakes was hard for me. Mr. Rosenfeld helped me to see failure as an opportunity for true learning," she said. If she could offer words of encouragement to freshmen, Lynda says to view high school as a marathon rather than a sprint. "Slow and steady can win the race!" she said. Congratulations, Lynda, on your incredible accomplishments! We know that you will continue to excel in all that you do! Highlights
Angelly Pallazhco
Angelly Pallazhco of Clifton is a high-achieving student in PCTI’s School of Business Careers who has been named Student of the Month for February. She holds an outstanding 4.3 GPA and ranks in the top 4% of her class! She is on track to graduate from high school with an impressive 21 college credits, due to her determination, hard work, and academic prowess.
With a specialization in Global Management at PCTI, Angelly is well-prepared to continue her studies and pursue her passion for international business and accounting after graduation. Her position as Executive of Financial Relations for FBLA has given her the opportunity to apply and strengthen her business acumen. Her teachers have commended her for her problem solving, visualization, and creativity. As a first-generation college student, she has already secured a full scholarship to Ramapo College. Aside from academics, Angelly is involved in a variety of athletic activities both on and off of the PCTVS campus. As a runner, she has been part of the Track, Indoor Track, and Cross Country teams, serving as Team Captain for the latter in both her junior and senior year. Additionally, she has taught kickboxing and Taekwondo to adults and children in her community. As a member of the ROTC program, Angelly has been able to hone her leadership skills. She was elected Regimental Athletic Officer, a role which required her to plan and communicate the physical workouts to keep the team in shape. “Having to create a description of the workouts and put together a Google calendar helped me to improve my communication skills, and I hope that it helped the cadets achieve their fitness goals,” she said. Angelly reflects fondly on her four years of high school, noting that her most valuable class was AP Language and Composition. “I moved to the United States from Ecuador when I was 8 years old, and I had to learn English as a second language. This class really helped me improve my grammar, expression, and voice as a writer,” she said. Angelly is thankful for all of the opportunities provided to her at PCTVS, and she encourages younger students to take advantage of them. “If you find something that makes you happy and passionate about learning more, it will go a long way to finding yourself as a person,” she said. Congratulations on all of your accomplishments, Angelly! Best of luck in college and beyond! Highlights
Pauline Kung
Pauline Kung is a young woman from North Haledon who found her home at PCTVS as a student in PCTI’s School of Criminal Justice. “It was a little bit of a fluke that I studied Criminal Justice, but I am glad that I did.”
The senior went on to explain. “Being part of the School of Criminal Justice opened my eyes to a lot of political issues on both a national and international level. I now have a curiosity for learning about how the global community can work together to solve problems on an international scale,” she said. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Political Science or International Relations, Pauline hopes to work towards an advanced degree. Her ultimate career goal is to work for the United Nations. “I know that it sounds far-fetched, but I really want to make it happen,” she said. Pauline clearly has the drive and dedication to succeed. She ranks in the top two percent of her class with an astounding GPA of 4.42! This Bulldog has the potential to graduate with twelve college credits and has achieved Principal’s Honor Roll throughout her high school career. Her academic prowess has rightfully earned her acceptance into National Honor Society, Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society, and World Language Honor Society. When taking a break from focusing on her studies, Pauline is a three-season varsity athlete. She has competed on the PCTVS volleyball, swimming, and track teams. Her athletic adventures extend beyond school, as well. She has earned her black belt in karate, and she is an instructor of both karate and archery. Pauline’s extracurricular activities strongly connect with her proud Taiwanese American heritage. She is an active member of the Formosa Association of Student Cultural Ambassadors (FASCA). Through her involvement with the youth group, she has learned about Taiwanese culture through workshops and exclusive virtual meetings with Taiwanese executives and leaders. “Through my volunteerism and community service with FASCA, I was able to go on United Nations trips and to meet the President of Taiwan in 2019,” she said. “My involvement with the group has definitely had a big impact on my career aspirations.” When considering the most valuable opportunities PCTVS has provided her, Pauline gives a huge shout-out to Mr. Rosenfeld’s AP US History course. “The material is really interesting, and he teaches it in a way that helps students look beyond the surface and question how history impacts the future,” she said. Stay curious and keep dreaming big, Pauline! Congratulations and best wishes! Highlights
Misty Skupienski
Misty Skupienski is a talented senior in the PCTI School of Education and Human Services and holds an impressive 4.2 GPA! She is positioned to graduate in the top 8% of her class and plans on taking her passion for teaching and learning to extraordinary heights in college and beyond.
Misty resides in Bloomingdale and chose to attend PCTI because of its excellent opportunity to get a head start on pursuing a career in education. "I have wanted to be a teacher since I was in 3rd grade. I knew PCTI was the best place to get me started on that path," she commented. After graduation, Misty intends on earning a degree in Special Education, specializing in Early Childhood (Preschool-3rd Grade). She recognizes her career choice is not based on salary, but on an inherent desire to serve a population that is often misunderstood. "Growing up, I remember curiously watching teachers and peers interact with students with special needs. I realized then that I aspired to be a teacher who helped all students, regardless of their abilities or differences, feel welcomed and accepted," Misty said. Outside of the classroom, Misty's extracurriculars also reflect her love for teaching. As a SkillsUSA participant, she competed in Early Childhood Education and won first place at the state level. She also volunteered at HeadStart on campus, where she was able to gain a firsthand grasp on how young children learn. Additionally, Misty has been actively involved in the PCTVS instrumental music offerings. She has played the baritone and trombone in Jazz Band, Marching Band, and Concert Band, earning her membership in the Tri-M Honor Society. When reflecting on her time at PCTVS, Misty is thankful for her time in the School of Education. “The program helped me to own my creativity and grow my passion for teaching. Because of it, I am confident that I will be able to help special education students to not feel alone and to know their own value," she said. Congratulations and best of luck, Misty! Your warm-hearted nature and dedication are sure to take you far in your chosen career! Highlights
Jia Xuan Zhang
Jia Xuan Zhang, a Senior in the Academy of Finance, envisions himself with a future career as a financial analyst for one of the Big Four accounting firms, after earning a degree in Finance. With an astounding 4.3 GPA, a co-op experience with Columbia Bank, and an acceptance to Rutgers Business School already under his belt, this March Student of the Month is well on his way to achieving his dreams!
The Paterson native has always been intrigued by banking and finance, and four years of studies in the Academy of Finance have strengthened his passion for the field. "On a professional level, I hope to help big corporations achieve their commercial goals. On a personal level, I hope to find a way to help my community," said Jia. In addition to his all-around academic success, Jia has made time for extracurricular activities to round out his PCTVS experience. As a member of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), he competed in regional and state competitions. Through the History Club, he raised money for charities, and he organized programs to create awareness about inclusivity and diversity as a member of ERASE. Additionally, he served as a Student Ambassador, helping freshman acclimate to PCTVS. When reflecting on the many valuable learning opportunities he has embraced at PCTVS, Jia is certain that his co-op with Columbia Bank has been the most rewarding. "Working with Columbia has been life-changing. Not only do I learn new banking skills every day, but I learn new life skills," he commented. "I am so grateful to be gaining real life experience in the field and to be getting a firsthand view of balancing work and academics." Jia believes strongly that his high school classes have encouraged him to perform to the best of his abilities. His advice to students who are in the early years at PCTVS is to "challenge yourself and to be passionate about what you want in life in order to make the most of your time here." Congratulations, Jia, for your outstanding success in the Academy of Finance and for being chosen as the Student of the Month for March! Highlights
Cheyenne Williams
Hard-work and confidence are paying off for Cheyenne Williams, a resident of Paterson, who has been named Student of the Month for January. Her strong academics, community service, and leadership have earned her the well-deserved honor.
Cheyenne is known for giving her all in every aspect of her life. She credits her father for her strong work ethic. “From a young age, my dad taught me that I will have to work harder because I am black. I have taken that to heart, and it has fueled me to always do my best and also to give back,” Cheyenne said. As a leading youth member of the nonprofit startup, Free the Queen, Cheyenne takes her father’s advice a step further by helping lead others on a path to success. The community-based organization strives to empower black women of all ages. In her role, Cheyenne helps to plan events and present information on mental health and self-acceptance. In regard to her studies, Cheyenne ranks in the top 5% of her class with a GPA of 4.3. She has consistently carried a challenging academic schedule, with no less than 13 honors and Advanced Placement courses under her belt. She has been accepted into National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, and World Language Society in recognition of her achievements. While she is a Vocal Technique major in the School of Performing Arts, a keen interest in science is guiding Cheyenne’s future plans for college and career. She plans on majoring in biology in college and then pursuing a career as a biomedical engineer. “My hope is that biomedical engineering will help me combine both my creative and scientific interests in order to help others,” Cheyenne said. Reflecting on her time at PCTVS, Cheyenne is grateful for the opportunities she has been given. She said, “My classes, friends, and teachers have all helped me to connect and find myself. I have been able to gain direction and really embrace who I am and who I want to be.” Congratulations, Cheyenne! Stay true to yourself and follow your dreams! Highlights
Jamie Kivelier
Jamie Kivelier, Student of the Month for January, has been a standout in the School of Communication Arts since her arrival on campus. Balancing an ambitious academic track with extracurricular activities and everyday life has not always been easy for the Graphic Arts major, but her focus and commitment have helped her to thrive.
A quick glance at Jamie’s transcript provides evidence that she does not shy away from hard work. Ranking in the top 2% of her class, she has taken an impressive 14 honors and Advanced Placement courses. With a GPA of 4.5, the senior from Clifton, credits her success to PCTVS’s unique learning environment. “So many amazing teachers have made an impact on me. I really enjoy going to class because of my teachers and how they teach me,” she explained. Beyond the classroom, Jamie has been an active contributor to the PCTVS community. She has served as a Board Member for the Gay-Straight Alliance and has given campus tours and helped at Freshman Orientation as a Student Ambassador. Additionally, she has been the Vice President of Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society. But it is her participation in the Lindsey Meyer Teen Institute (TI@ti) for which this Bulldog is most proud. Through TI, she volunteered her time to assemble holiday “shoebox” gifts for the homeless and to paint a house for Habitat for Humanity. She said, “Teen Institute gave me the confidence that I could be a good leader. It has helped me to be happy with myself and to take positive risks.” When it comes to furthering her education, Jamie is leaving her options open. She has applied to graphic arts programs, but she is leaning towards studying Biology in college. “I have always helped out with the younger kids in my family, and I am good at it. By studying Biology in college, I might pursue a career as a school Occupational Therapist. Whatever I choose, I want a fulfilling career that gives me a sense of purpose,” she said. Jamie shared some words of wisdom for students who are just starting out at PCTVS. She said, “Take advantage of all of the opportunities at school. Put yourself out there, even if it’s outside of your comfort zone. It will be worth it!” Congratulations, Jamie! Your drive and determination will continue to pave the way for success! Highlights
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