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2012 - 2013 Bulldog Spotlight

2012 - 2013 School Year
Shadia Ahmed and Nil Rawal
Introducing the Top Two of 2013
Shadia Ahmed is a strong, confident, and independent young woman from the Academy of Medical Arts. Nil Rawal is a talented young man whose academic perseverance has fueled his desire to evolve as a student and to learn as much as he does in class as he does outside of it.

Christopher Santhouse
Culinary Instructor Honored by NRAEF
Culinary Instructor Christopher Santhouse of Passaic County Technical Institute was recognized by the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation’s (NRAEF) ProStart program with the Educator Excellence Award.

Ronnie Williams
Coach Williams Honored as Athlete Who Makes a Difference
On May 15th, PCTI’s very own Coach Ronnie Williams was honored and saluted by the Paterson Great Falls Rotary during the Athletes Who Make a Difference 4 Beefsteak Fundraiser at The Brownstone.

Rashad Chowdhury
May Student of the Month
Rashad Chowdhury is a multitalented Paterson local whose passion for academics has encouraged him to become a bright and knowledgeable student of the School of Business Careers.

Daniel Stahl poses with Dave Bishop.
Daniel Stahl was awarded a $500 plumbing scholarship by Dave Bishop, Committee Chairman for the Triboro Master Plumbers Scholarship.

Students hold a W!se banner.
PCTI is W!se Financial Literacy Certified and has been declared one of the top ten scoring institutions in the nation.

A group photo of Cirlce of Success students.
Congratulations to PCTI’s 4th Marking Period Circle of Success students: Johanna Avila, Yasmine Mustafa, Allisson Ramirez, Nirmal Rana, Enid Nunez, Nicholas Magna, Charlie Guzman, Justin Carrasco, Ivan Cody, Kelly Franco, Lance Gabriel Domingo, Ashley Rodriguez, Elizabeth Moran, & Samia Ahmed.

Lisette Yachacahin poses with a prize check.
Lisette Yachacahin received an academic scholarship worth half tuition for Medical Assisting at Lincoln Technical Institute.

Angelique Larsen poses with an award.
Angelique Larsen took home first place in the Passaic County Patriotic Art Contest for 2013.

The Engineering Club.
The Engineering Club captured two trophies at the 12th Annual North Jersey Robotics competition hosted by the PCCC. The team took home first place in the Obstacle Course Challenge and the Sportsmanship Award for the overall competition.

Victoria Eli, Alice Raymundo, Zahira Torres, and Ja’Tayshia Harris.
Congratulations to Victoria Eli, Alice Raymundo, Zahira Torres, and Ja’Tayshia Harris on receiving the Silver Plate Award from the New Jersey Restaurant Association.

SkillsUSA students pose with medals. PCTI SkillsUSA students took home 19 medals at the State competition, 9 of which were first place ribbons.

Arisleidy Almonte, Jasmine Bandala, Manisha Bhattacharjee, Lauren Christie, and Caitlyn Probst.
Criminal Justice students Arisleidy Almonte, Jasmine Bandala, Manisha Bhattacharjee, Lauren Christie, and Caitlyn Probst placed 1st in New Jersey’s State Bar Law Day Video Contest.

A group photo of PCTI Circle of Success students.
Congratulations to PCTI’s 3rd Marking Period Circle of Success members Jacqueline Carrillo, Hannah Javed, Urja Gandhi, Akeem Downer, Kathy Hernandez, Aaron Falette, Salman Sakib, Christopher Hormaza, Karen Montecinos, Regina Jackson, Yulisbeth Rojas, Christopher Laky, Yasmin Grullon, and Manuela Marin.

Computer Science students show off their awards.
Computer Science teams placed 2nd in Web Information System Design and 3rd in Rapid Design at NJIT’s Web Design Competition.

The Boys Track team.
The Boys Track team was declared Passaic County Relay Champions for the second year in a row.

A group photo of Foundation of Success members.
Congratulations to the 2013 Freshmen Foundation of Success members: Mohammed Ahmed, Eileen Cheng, Kevin Cruz, Melanie Hoyos, Patrick Kiel, Victor Miklosh, Abdel Mohamed, Evelina Nunez, Ariana Soriano, and Emma Tang.

Damani Van Rensalier
Performing Arts sophomore, Damani Van Rensalier, was awarded an Apprentice Runner-Up Scholarship for the Artists Simply Human: The Workshop Experience.

Pamela Torres and Sweta Patel.
Pamela Torres and Sweta Patel placed 1st in Banking & Finance at the NJ FBLA Competition.

NJROTC students.
PCTI’s NROTC placed second overall at the North Rockland Drill Meet. First Year Cadets earned 1st place for their Inspection Team and for Military Drill Orders. Varsity Level Cadets received 2nd place for Color Guard, Armed Military Basic Drill, Armed Military Trick Drill, Unarmed Military Trick Drill, and their Inspection Team.

Harris Sheikh February Student of the Month
Harris Sheikh is a bright young man whose fascination with mathematics has led him down the wonderful path of Electronics. As a member of the School of Applied Technology, Harris finds his greatest goal is to improve existing technology in order to make the world a better place.

PCTI NJROTC students. NJROTC Racks up Big Win
PCTI’s own NJROTC traveled to the far-off Seaford, Delaware to compete in an All Service JROTC Drill Meet on February, 10th. Fifty Drill Team members gave it their all at the competition held at Seaford High School. It was here that PCTI students went up against the top four teams from New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware.

Erick Pinos January Student Of The Month
Erick Pinos is a young man whose thirst for knowledge has served him well in paving the pathway to success. This Hawthorne local and student of the Academy of Information Technology finds his greatest achievement is the ability to inspire others.

Intashan Chowdhury Congratulations to Intashan Chowdhury for being selected as NJ HOSA “Outstanding State Leader.”

Rachael and Sarah Bammel Rachel and Sarah Bammel placed 2nd in the Skills USA Sustainability and Solutions Competition.

Chiara Carmelino, Elianni De la Cruz, Damilola Onifade, Christian Velez-Vargas, and Mohammed Miah. Chiara Carmelino, Elianni De la Cruz, Damilola Onifade, Christian Velez-Vargas, and Mohammed Miah for placed 3rd in the Skills USA Criminal Justice Quiz Bowl Competition.

The Varsity Competition Cheerleading Squad The Varsity Competition Cheerleading Squad finished 3rd Place Overall at the Big North Cheerleading Championships.

The Wrestling team The Wrestling team won the District 15 Championship. Two athletes finished in first place: senior Jose Marrero and junior Emmanuel Soriano. Congratulations to the team!

A group photo of Circle of Success students. Congratulations to PCTI’s Second Marking Period Circle of Success Members: Samantha Mojica, Melissa Tiro, Gregory Olivares, Nicola Soto, Diana Quiroz, Lewis Tapia, Mateusz Rowicki, Rachel Bammel, Jake Castner, Luzjailie Roman, Nicole Romero, Sebastian Zabrano, Ramon Liriano, and Nicolas Mallari.

Maureen Wacha Introducing PCTI’s Newest Teacher of the Year!
Maureen Wacha is an English teacher whose eagerness for making a difference has earned her PCTI’s Teacher of the Year Award! As a student at Passaic County Technical Institute, Maureen discovered her passion for writing and literature.

Cameron Visibeen December Student of the Month
Cameron Visbeen is a young man filled to the brim with talent and ambition. Hailing from North Haledon, Cameron is heir to the Visbeen legacy: a carpentry company started by his grand- father. He aspires to join in the tradition of the family business by becoming a fourth generation craftsman.

Isaac Williams and family. Isaac Williams of the Boys Basketball team scored his 1000th point in the PCTI vs. Fairfield game.

Culinary Arts students.
Culinary Arts students have won the 2013 State Championship Pro Start Competition for the sixth year in a row! PCTI’s Management Team won second place. Participants include Leana Lantigua, Ivan Cody, Kimberly Rivera, Erika Hernandez, Kenneth Castaneda, Jake Castner, Yudelka Torres, Zahira Torres, Tiffany Ronzel, and Antonia Lazar.

The Bowling Team.
The Bowling Team was declared North 1B Group IV Sectional Bowling Champions.

Justin Acevedo, Javed Ali, & Gin Sanchez
The work of TV Production students Justin Acevedo, Javed Ali, & Gin Sanchez is being showcased by MSG Varsity.

Academy of Finance students.
Academy of Finance students competed in and won the County Consumer Bowl Competition.

Criminal Justice students.
Criminal Justice students were crowned the Passaic County Mock Trial Champs.

Student Council students.
Student Council/Interact collected more than 6,000lbs of food during the annual Food Drive. Donated goods were delivered to Cumac/Echo Food Bank in Paterson, NJ.

A group photo of Circle of Success students.
Congratulations to the First Marking Period Circle of Success students: Shoenstani Gil, Jahid Hussain, Austin Espie, Lilian Ormeno, Jessy Lopez, Johan Valderrama, Kevin Behnke, Kayla Post, Yudelka Torres, Alicia Espinal, Aisha Lance, j30hua Lopez, Christian Velez-Vargas, and Jennifer Mallari.

A group photo of Criminal Justice students.
Criminal Justice students chosen to compete in the 3rd Annual “U Got Brains Champion Schools Program” – a program which challenges NJ high schoolers to create projects aimed at educating teens about safe driving.

John Iurato
John Iurato received the Sports Track Award from the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association.

Yasar Khan November Student of the Month
You may have passed him in the hallway or seen him in one of his many leadership roles throughout the PCTI community. Yasar Khan thrives in environments that test his mental prow- ess. This member of the Academy of Finance has traveled from Pakistan to Pennsylvania, to New Jersey and back again. Now residing in Paterson, Yasar says that PCTI gave him the perfect opportunity to succeed as a student and beyond.

PCTI Students pose on the set of The Challenge PCTI Takes on MSG Varsity’s “the Challenge”
Students of Passaic County Institute’s (PCTI) Gifted & Talented program received the unique opportunity to compete in MSG Varsity’s “the Challenge” – a game show on the Cablevision network which invites schools across the US to go head-to-head in a knowledge-based competition. The show’s format revolves around a series of trivia questions which range subjects that include Mathematics, Science, History, English, and so much more.

Ana Melendez October Student of the Month
Ana is a bright young woman who considers compassion among her greatest assets. Hailing from Paterson, she has found her niche as part of PCTI’s School of Education & Human Services. Here, Ana is free to follow her passion for teach- ing and kindle her love of both human services and psychology.

Guillermo Sanchez receives an award. Barbara Frankel and Lois Winterfield present Guillermo Sanchez with the VFW award for his VFWA Patriotic Art Contest win.

Marissa Burghardt and Jayne O'Neill Instructors Marissa Burghardt and Jayne O’Neill received the State House Express Awards, grants for $350 which allows students to visit and tour the State House in Trenton.

SkillsUSA students pose lakeside. PCTI students and SkillsUSA raised $1,512 for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Walk-a-thon.

W!se logo PCTI is designated a Blue Star School through the W!se Financial Literacy Program.

The LPN graduation ceremony. PCTI celebrated the commencement of forty Licensed Practical Nurses from the Day and Night programs.

Javier Nicasio Student Shines with SkillsUSA
Javier Nicasio was named the SkillsUSA NJ State Parliamentarian. Javier Nicasio is not your typical PCTI senior. He is an avid activist in the SkillsUSA program—a partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to ensure America develops a skilled workforce. The program’s focus is helping students excel.

Michael Parent PCTI's New Principal
Introducing Dr. Michael Parent, New Principal of PCTI. Passaic County Technical Institute is no stranger to embracing the new. And what can be bigger than welcoming a very important person into the Bulldog family? Last year, we said goodbye to our beloved Principal Joseph M. DiGise. This year, we’re welcoming Dr. Michael Parent, our new Principal for 2012! Dr. Parent is a veteran high school administrator who has served as an educator for the past twelve years.

Alexandra Small September Student of the Month
Paterson local, Alexandra Small, is a modest young woman with her eyes on the future. This student of the Academy of Medical Arts has always known she wanted to be a part of the medical field, making PCTI the perfect place for her to call home. Alexandra is off to the perfect start. In her time at the award winning high school, she has accumulated college credits through Biology and Anatomy & Physiology, and will be incurring more through AP English and EMT training. She has also been on the Principal’s Honor Roll nu- merous times throughout her high school career. Her favorite subjects are both Anatomy and English.

Justin Acevedo poses with a prize check. Student “Gets Reel” with WABC-TV
Over the summer, PCTI’s own video production prodigy, Justin Acevedo, took it upon himself to submit an essay explaining why he should be accepted into the WABC-TV’s “Get Reel with Your Dream” program. He was selected along with hundreds of other students, thus gaining the opportunity to meet with top professionals in both film and television. Justin received first hand access to tips of the trade, even going so far as to speak with Jeff Pegues, a reporter of WABC-TV, about the journalistic writing process and what it takes to be in front of the camera.