Amy Arakaki is a creative student at the School of Communication Arts. Looking for a creative outlet she chose a focus in advertising art and design, “I have always loved art and knew that by choosing my CTE, it would expose me to different mediums and art forms and expand my skill. It also gave me a way to connect with others and express my ideas.”

At school, Amy is a member of the Gifted and Talented Club and the ERASE club. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new skills and interests which include coding, crocheting, gardening, and reading. Amy is currently working on creating a website focused on the importance of mental health for teenagers and breaking the stigmas around it.

After high school, Amy plans to attend college and major in computer science with the goal of becoming a software engineer. She is passionate about making the tech field more inclusive for minorities and providing opportunities for others, “I look forward to working to provide the same opportunities to others that I have been granted.”

Speaking of her student of the month designation, “It feels both nerve wracking and exciting and I feel very honored to have been chosen. I’m proud that my hard work paid off.”

Her remarkable GPA of 4.41 shows her extraordinary work ethic!

When asked if she has any advice for her classmates, Amy said, “it’s important to not put too much pressure on yourself. Stay organized and on top of your work.”

Congratulations Amy! Your hard work and dedication will ensure a very successful future!

Jesus Cuautle Perez is a dedicated student in the PCTI School of Business, “I chose the school of business because I thought it was something everyone should know. I thought business was something anyone could succeed in.”

Jesus is involved in multiple clubs and extracurricular activities, including being the captain of the boys' volleyball team and the supportive manager of the girls' volleyball team. He is also part of the ERASE Club, National Honor Society, and World Language Honor Society and is currently a CO-OP in the PCTI guidance department. Out of school, Jesus shines as a star player on the Garden State Elite Volleyball Club, a travelling team where he holds the position of captain.

In his future, Jesus has big plans to attend college, first obtaining his bachelors then continuing with a master’s degree. During his years at PCTI, his love for physics and calculus has grown as he plans to continue that focus with a degree in either computer science, aerospace physics, or electrical engineering – whichever path he chooses we know Jesus will be successful!

Speaking of his student of the month designation, “it’s awesome to be named student of the month, I was very surprised. I came to this country from Mexico at a very young age, so I often think of how proud my younger self would be of the hard work I’ve done here and plan on continuing to do.” His impressive GPA of 4.13 shows his extraordinary work ethic!

Jesus has some wise advice for his fellow classmates, “trust the process of how much school is benefiting you. It can so rarely be satisfying in school and it’s easy to get discouraged so just really believe in yourself and the work that you can do.”

Jesus, your unwavering dedication, and hard work will pave the way for your success! Congratulations!

Kacper Szyller is a dedicated student at the STEM Academy, where he has chosen to pursue a focus in Engineering. His passion for engineering was sparked by a middle school experience and has since grown into a driving force in his life, “I really enjoyed it, I figured it would be something interesting to pursue in high school, so I applied to STEM with a focus in Engineering because it filled that interest.”

Kacper is a member of the LEAP club and is the PT commander of the ROTC-PT Team. As a bulldog athlete, he is a member of the varsity soccer and wrestling teams, balancing his academic and athletic pursuits. In his free time, he loves to stay active, going to the gym and skiing.

With a bright and promising future ahead of him, Kacper will attend the University of Notre Dame. His outstanding GPA of 4.45, enabled him to be selected for the highly selective Questbridge College Match program which awarded him a full-ride scholarship to Notre Dame. While at University he plans to complete a bachelor's degree in engineering and a master's degree in business. He then would like to continue to law school to become a patent lawyer, combining his engineering expertise with the legal field.

As a recipient of student of the month, Kacper shared that he was excited and honored to have been recognized for his hard work. He also imparted important advice to his fellow classmates, “Don’t full around, complete your homework and pay attention. How you behave now will dictate how you perform the rest of high school. Discipline yourself and your mind.”

Congratulations Kacper! Your persistence and ambition will ensure much future success!