Miguel-Angel Disla
Miguel-Angel Disla of Little Falls is a motivated, hard-working young man who has had much success balancing his love of cars, academics, and classical music. He is a senior in the School of Automotive Technology with a focus on Engine Mechanics, his current GPA is 4.2 and he ranks in the top ten percent of his class.
When asked what it felt like being named student of the month, Miguel replied, “It’s very surreal to be named student of the month. I never thought that I would be considered for such an honor, as I’m someone who likes to be behind the scenes and out of the spotlight. However, it feels amazing to be recognized for my individual achievements and the effort that I put into my community and schoolwork.”
In the future, Miguel would love to attend college at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and obtain a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering. He looks to eventually become either an aerospace consultant or a flight engineer, and he also wants to train for a private pilot license and fly his own airplane.
Miguel balances his busy work/life schedule by taking part in school activities, as well as enjoying his downtime. At school, he is a member of the World Language Honor Society, Student Council Interact Club, NJROTC, assisted in the Wreaths Across America and the Valentine’s Day fundraiser.
In his community Miguel has volunteered at the annual 5k Thanksgiving Turkey Trot as well as The Samaritan's Purse Project Operation Christmas Child which collects shoebox gifts filled with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items and delivers them to children in need around the world. He also likes video games and playing his ukulele or piano.
One thing about Miguel most people don’t know is his love for classical music. “I absolutely love classical music, and I listen to it regularly. My favorite piece is ‘Love Dream’ by Franz Lizst but my favorite pianist is Frederick Chopin; I recommend both.” Miguel also has some really great advice for current and incoming students, “Make sure you leave high school without regrets.
Whether it be a relationship, a class, or anything else, make sure that you can look back on your experience with a smile on your face knowing you gave it your all!”
When asked what it felt like being named student of the month, Miguel replied, “It’s very surreal to be named student of the month. I never thought that I would be considered for such an honor, as I’m someone who likes to be behind the scenes and out of the spotlight. However, it feels amazing to be recognized for my individual achievements and the effort that I put into my community and schoolwork.”
In the future, Miguel would love to attend college at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and obtain a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering. He looks to eventually become either an aerospace consultant or a flight engineer, and he also wants to train for a private pilot license and fly his own airplane.
Miguel balances his busy work/life schedule by taking part in school activities, as well as enjoying his downtime. At school, he is a member of the World Language Honor Society, Student Council Interact Club, NJROTC, assisted in the Wreaths Across America and the Valentine’s Day fundraiser.
In his community Miguel has volunteered at the annual 5k Thanksgiving Turkey Trot as well as The Samaritan's Purse Project Operation Christmas Child which collects shoebox gifts filled with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items and delivers them to children in need around the world. He also likes video games and playing his ukulele or piano.
One thing about Miguel most people don’t know is his love for classical music. “I absolutely love classical music, and I listen to it regularly. My favorite piece is ‘Love Dream’ by Franz Lizst but my favorite pianist is Frederick Chopin; I recommend both.” Miguel also has some really great advice for current and incoming students, “Make sure you leave high school without regrets.
Whether it be a relationship, a class, or anything else, make sure that you can look back on your experience with a smile on your face knowing you gave it your all!”
Highlights
- Ranks in the top 10% of class
- GPA is 4.2
- World Language National Honor Society
- World Language National Honor Society
- NJROTC Battalion Executive Officer
- Student Council Interact Club
- Valentine’s Day fundraiser
- Wreaths across America fundraiser
- Volunteered at Turkey Trot 5k twice
- Goals: To attend college at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and obtain a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering and become either an aerospace consultant or a flight engineer. He also wants to train for a private pilot license and fly around in his own airplane
Kevin Chou
Kevin Chou is a highly intelligent and ambitious young man from Totowa, studying Biomedical and Life Sciences at the STEM Academy. His current GPA is 4.529, ranking him in the top two percent of his class. He is the February STEM Student of the Month. “It is truly an honor to be the student of the month and I am definitely grateful for it, as this achievement shows how much hard work I put in throughout my years at STEM. It also shows that I am prepared for any future challenges.”
Kevin is an exceptional student who is both hard working and humble. When asked if he would consider himself a role model for other students, Kevin replied, “I can’t see through the eyes of others, but I hope that I am a positive influence on those around me, as I showcase a strong work ethic and a love for learning. He is a member of the National Honor Society, as well as the World Language National Honor Society, Gifted & Talented, and HOSA. Kevin is a STEM Student Ambassador, Teacher’s Assistant for the Summer and Saturday STEM Academy, and volunteered for the STEM Mentor Program. He is also Epee Captain for the PCTI Fencing Team.
In his free time, Kevin likes to read, play the piano and video games, learn how to cook, practice fencing and play soccer with friends.
His future goals include attending either Johns Hopkins University, NYU, Northeastern University, Rutgers, or the University Of Pittsburgh, and apply his creativity in the Biomedical Engineering field. Kevin looks to become either a Biomedical Engineer and work to design new medical innovations, or work in healthcare as an oncologist.
Kevin has some really good advice for current and incoming students, “Do not be afraid of failure, as it allows you to grow a lot faster as a person. Being able to fail and then reflect on your mistakes is the best way to learn and perform better.”
No matter where he goes, Kevin has made PCTVS and the STEM Academy very proud! Congratulations and best of luck to this gifted and ambitious young man!
Kevin is an exceptional student who is both hard working and humble. When asked if he would consider himself a role model for other students, Kevin replied, “I can’t see through the eyes of others, but I hope that I am a positive influence on those around me, as I showcase a strong work ethic and a love for learning. He is a member of the National Honor Society, as well as the World Language National Honor Society, Gifted & Talented, and HOSA. Kevin is a STEM Student Ambassador, Teacher’s Assistant for the Summer and Saturday STEM Academy, and volunteered for the STEM Mentor Program. He is also Epee Captain for the PCTI Fencing Team.
In his free time, Kevin likes to read, play the piano and video games, learn how to cook, practice fencing and play soccer with friends.
His future goals include attending either Johns Hopkins University, NYU, Northeastern University, Rutgers, or the University Of Pittsburgh, and apply his creativity in the Biomedical Engineering field. Kevin looks to become either a Biomedical Engineer and work to design new medical innovations, or work in healthcare as an oncologist.
Kevin has some really good advice for current and incoming students, “Do not be afraid of failure, as it allows you to grow a lot faster as a person. Being able to fail and then reflect on your mistakes is the best way to learn and perform better.”
No matter where he goes, Kevin has made PCTVS and the STEM Academy very proud! Congratulations and best of luck to this gifted and ambitious young man!
Highlights
- Ranks in the top 2% of class
- GPA: 4.529
- AP Scholar with Distinction
- National Honor Society
- World Language Honor Society
- PCTVS Gifted and Talented
- Member of HOSA
- Volunteered for the STEM Mentor Program
- Teacher’s Assistant for the Summer and Saturday STEM Academy
- STEM Student Ambassador
- Epee Captain for the PCTVS Fencing Team
- County Commissioner of American Legion Jersey Boys State
- Principal’s Honor Roll
- Goals: to attend either Johns Hopkins University, NYU, Northeastern University, Rutgers, or The University Of Pittsburgh, become a Biomedical Engineer and work to design new medical innovations, or to work in healthcare as an oncologist.
Miguelis Segura
Paterson native Miguelis Segura is a throwback to simpler times when life was much less complex and people still focused on what really mattered: academics, family, and work. She’s a reliable and hardworking student who understands what it takes to get the job done even as the world around her seems chaotic and filled with distractions. “Just do what you have to do and do it the fastest and easiest way possible. We all like free time and the best feeling is when you finish an assignment days before it’s due. Basically, I’m saying get your work done and don’t procrastinate.”
Miguelis is a senior in the School of Culinary Arts and is a co-op student who works at The Barrow House in Clifton, which was recently names PCTVS Business Partner of the Year. She is the first student to take part in the partnership between the Barrow House, PCTVS, and Passaic County Community College. She will receive twelve college credits from PCCC for her time in culinary arts at PCTVS and her work performed at the Barrow House during out-of- school co-op.
She has found that the fast-paced setting of a restaurant is a place where she can thrive and put her culinary skills to work. “The PCTI Culinary Arts program has definitely done a great job preparing me for a real restaurant kitchen. Because of what I learned at Tech I can remain calm and do the work that is expected of me, even when it gets a little hectic.”
While at The Barrow House, Miguelis is a prep cook and handles a lot of the prep work for the entire restaurant – without a prep cook, a kitchen will quickly come to a grinding halt. She is constantly tasked with preparing all the ingredients that’ll eventually be turned into dishes by the line cooks, and that means portioning meat, poultry, fish, and seafood; shredding or slicing cheese; preparing sauces and dressings; chopping and slicing produce; and labelling, dating, and storing everything in the right place. It also means keeping her station and the area around them clean.
Miguelis’ future goals are to attend college and continue with her education in Culinary Arts, however, she recently discovered another possible career path which she would be interested in pursuing. “My family was recently in the market for a new house and as our search progressed, I began to research information about real estate. I discovered that I had a real interest in the process, and I wound up taking the reins from my parents. I secured a really nice new home and found a passion for something new and exciting.”
PCTVS would like to congratulate Miguelis on all her hard work! We know you will be successful in all your future endeavors!
Miguelis is a senior in the School of Culinary Arts and is a co-op student who works at The Barrow House in Clifton, which was recently names PCTVS Business Partner of the Year. She is the first student to take part in the partnership between the Barrow House, PCTVS, and Passaic County Community College. She will receive twelve college credits from PCCC for her time in culinary arts at PCTVS and her work performed at the Barrow House during out-of- school co-op.
She has found that the fast-paced setting of a restaurant is a place where she can thrive and put her culinary skills to work. “The PCTI Culinary Arts program has definitely done a great job preparing me for a real restaurant kitchen. Because of what I learned at Tech I can remain calm and do the work that is expected of me, even when it gets a little hectic.”
While at The Barrow House, Miguelis is a prep cook and handles a lot of the prep work for the entire restaurant – without a prep cook, a kitchen will quickly come to a grinding halt. She is constantly tasked with preparing all the ingredients that’ll eventually be turned into dishes by the line cooks, and that means portioning meat, poultry, fish, and seafood; shredding or slicing cheese; preparing sauces and dressings; chopping and slicing produce; and labelling, dating, and storing everything in the right place. It also means keeping her station and the area around them clean.
Miguelis’ future goals are to attend college and continue with her education in Culinary Arts, however, she recently discovered another possible career path which she would be interested in pursuing. “My family was recently in the market for a new house and as our search progressed, I began to research information about real estate. I discovered that I had a real interest in the process, and I wound up taking the reins from my parents. I secured a really nice new home and found a passion for something new and exciting.”
PCTVS would like to congratulate Miguelis on all her hard work! We know you will be successful in all your future endeavors!
Highlights
- Co-op at The Barrow House
- Goals: to attend college and attain a BA in Culinary Arts as well become a Real Estate Agent