PCTI School of Business Careers – Brikena Rizvani
Brikena Rizvani is an outstanding student in PCTI’s School of Business Careers – Global Management program, where she has built a strong foundation in leadership, organization, and strategic thinking. She chose the business pathway during her freshman year as a way to keep her future options open. “As a confused freshman unsure of what direction to take, business felt like the path that could help me in any future career,” Brikena shared. Her dedication to academics is reflected in her impressive 4.2 GPA.
Being named Student of the Month has been a meaningful moment for Brikena. “It feels rewarding. I’m happy knowing that my efforts are being recognized,” she said.
Brikena is deeply involved in the PCTI community and takes on leadership roles across multiple organizations. She serves as president of SkillsUSA, where she competed at the national level in Georgia, and is also a representative for FBLA, competing in Atlantic City. In addition, she previously held the role of president of the World Language Honor Society, further highlighting her commitment to excellence and service.
Outside of school, Brikena values time with her family and friends and enjoys being surrounded by the people she loves. She also brings her culture to life as a professional Albanian cultural dancer, performing at events throughout New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey.
After high school, Brikena plans to pursue a career in medicine, with the goal of becoming a general physician. When asked what advice she would give to incoming freshmen or her classmates, she offered practical guidance: “Never procrastinate. Stay organized and take care of your responsibilities as soon as they come up.”
Reflecting on her journey at PCTI, Brikena credits the school with helping her grow into a confident leader. “PCTI has helped me become a more confident leader and given me the tools and resources I needed to bring out my true colors.”
Congratulations, Brikena! Your dedication, leadership, and commitment to growth make you a standout member of the PCTI community. We look forward to seeing all that you accomplish next!
PCTI Electrical Construction Technology – Alejandro Arenas
Alejandro Arenas is a standout student in PCTI’s Electrical Construction Technology program, where his passion for hands-on work and building from the ground up has found a clear path. Drawn to construction early on, Alejandro says the ability to physically create and problem-solve is what made this CTE the right fit for him. That focus and drive are reflected in his perfect 4.0 GPA—no small feat in a technical program that demands both precision and discipline.
Being named Student of the Month was a moment that caught him off guard—in a good way. Alejandro shared that he’s always been quick to congratulate classmates who earned the recognition, so being on the receiving end felt especially meaningful and rewarding.
Beyond the classroom, Alejandro stays deeply involved in school life. He’s a second-year SkillsUSA competitor, proudly representing his CTE, and serves as one of two student stage managers for this year’s school musical. He’s also heavily engaged in LMTI, where he acts as a youth advisor counselor and participates in both the summer Power of 1 leadership conference and the fall leadership conference. It’s clear this isn’t just résumé-building for him—LMTI is something he genuinely cares about because of the leadership values and personal growth it encourages.
In his downtime, Alejandro enjoys keeping things balanced—spending time with friends and family, building Lego sets, and flying his drone. A fun fact that tends to surprise people? He’s an FAA-certified drone pilot, which says a lot about his attention to detail and technical curiosity.
Looking ahead, Alejandro has a clear, no-nonsense plan for the future. After graduation, he intends to join the electrical union, earn his electrical license, build hands-on experience, and eventually launch his own electrical contracting business. Ambitious? Absolutely. Unrealistic? Not based on the path he’s already carving out.
When asked what advice he’d give to incoming freshmen or his peers, Alejandro keeps it practical: stay organized, plan ahead, and don’t assume you’ll always see challenges coming—because you won’t.
Reflecting on his experience at PCTI, Alejandro credits the school with pushing him to grow in ways he didn’t expect. He says PCTI has helped him broaden his horizons, take positive risks, and build meaningful connections every single day—exactly the kind of foundation that prepares a student not just for a career, but for real-world success.
Congratulations, Alejandro. Your focus, leadership, and hands-on drive are already setting you apart—and the future you’re working toward looks well-earned.
PCTI STEM Academy Engineering – Nicole Murren
Nicole Murren is an outstanding student in PCTI STEM Academy of Engineering, where she brings together creativity, problem-solving, and innovation to pursue meaningful change. Drawn to a field that aligns with both her skills and values, Nicole shared, “I chose Engineering because it brings together my strengths in creativity, problem-solving, and innovation. I have a deep passion for creating positive change in the world, and engineering gives me a pathway to do that.” Her commitment to excellence is reflected in her impressive 4.2 GPA.
Being named Student of the Month is a moment that carries both pride and reflection for Nicole. “It feels both rewarding and surreal. It’s an immense honor to know that my efforts toward my school and our community have been recognized,” she said.
Nicole is deeply involved across campus and takes on leadership roles in nearly every space she enters. She serves as captain for both fall and competition cheerleading, is a member of Jazz Band, and holds multiple leadership positions, including President of Student Council and Vice President of the Class of 2026 Officers. She is also an active member of four honor societies, including the National Honor Society, where she serves as Vice President.
Outside of school, Nicole gives back by coaching for her town’s cheerleading program. She is also an accomplished musician who plays the violin and has performed at Carnegie Hall twice, an achievement that reflects her discipline and artistic talent.
After high school, Nicole plans to pursue a degree in Environmental Engineering with a focus on sustainability and energy. When offering advice to incoming freshmen or classmates, she encourages them to stay curious and confident. “Don’t be afraid to try new things, reach for your goals, and always ask questions.”
Reflecting on her experience at PCTI STEM, Nicole credits the school with helping her grow both personally and academically. “PCTI STEM has given me the confidence to pursue my goals and passions. The unique opportunities here have prepared me for life after high school and pushed me to grow as a leader and learner.”
Congratulations, Nicole! Your leadership, ambition, and drive to create positive change set a powerful example for the entire PCTI STEM community.