Praanjal Gajera

Praanjal Gajera is a driven student at PCTI's Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. With a profound interest in the fields of mathematics and sciences, Praanjal found a fitting path in her CTE program, choosing it for the abundant resources and opportunities that PCTI provides for her academic and professional growth. Notably, PCTI has allowed Praanjal to train as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) at the Public Safety Academy. In March, she and her peers will undertake the national exam, marking a significant step toward their careers as EMTs.

Being named Student of the Month is a source of great honor for Praanjal, saying, “I feel very honored and grateful that I am student of the month because I get to represent my CTE program and what it has to offer.” Praanjal's impressive academic journey is reflected in her GPA, which stands at an outstanding 4.56.

Praanjal's commitment to extracurricular activities is commendable. She is actively involved in HOSA, serves as Co-vice president of the student council, participates in the book club, and is also an athlete, playing softball as an outfielder. Furthermore, she is a member of prestigious honor societies such as the National Honor Society, Rho Kappa Honor Society, and World Language Honor Society, demonstrating her dedication to academic excellence. Praanjal's achievements extend to the national level, where she represented HOSA and achieved success in regional and state competitions. Additionally, she took part in the inaugural Becton Dickinson STEM debate challenge, engaging in discussions on topics related to embryonic gene editing.

Beyond school, Praanjal is actively involved in community service. She volunteers at St. Joseph's Hospital of Wayne as a floor helper and contributes to the American Red Cross as part of the NJ Youth Council's Blood/Biomed Committee. Her altruistic spirit extends to volunteering with MedShare, where she prepares medical supplies for shipment to countries in need.

As for her plans after high school, Praanjal aims to major in neuroscience and pursue a medical degree (MD). Her aspirations include specializing in neurology and potentially sub-specializing in the field.

When asked about advice for incoming freshmen and fellow classmates, Praanjal offers valuable wisdom: "Don't take everything too seriously. Don't stress and remember to enjoy the moments that we have in high school."

Praanjal Gajera is a remarkable student who embodies dedication, ambition, and a strong commitment to both her education and community. Her achievements and contributions are truly commendable, and we look forward to witnessing her continued success in the future.

Noshin Ahmed

Noshin Ahmed's interest for Criminal Justice led her to choose it as her CTE at PCTI. She shared, "I thought that Criminal Justice would be fun. I wanted to do something I enjoyed. I remember coming to the Open House and seeing the crime scene investigation, and it made me want to choose Criminal Justice."

Noshin is an outstanding student with a remarkable GPA of 4.56. She has demonstrated her commitment not only to academics but also to extracurricular activities. She is a proud member of the Astronomy club, Environmental club, Sign Language club, and the National Honor Society.

Outside of her school commitments, Noshin enjoys engaging in creative activities. She is passionate about journaling and drawing, choosing a new theme to draw every month. Additionally, she has actively contributed to the community by volunteering at NJCDC and serving as a coding instructor for the BLM Paterson Coding club.

When asked about being named Student of the Month, Noshin expressed her pride, saying, "I feel proud, it feels really good to be celebrated for your hard work."

Looking forward to her future, Noshin has ambitious plans. She aspires to pursue a career in computer science, specifically in cybersecurity or artificial intelligence. Her goal is to make computer science a more diverse field, recognizing its importance for everyone.

Noshin has some valuable advice for incoming freshmen and her classmates, "Don't think so much about your stats, be committed to the classes you pick, but you don't always have to be the best. It's okay to have weaknesses, but it's more important how you work to try to fix those weaknesses."

Noshin Ahmed's dedication and achievements are truly commendable. Congratulations on your outstanding accomplishments, Noshin! Your bright future in computer science awaits you.

Kaitlyn Amanullah

Kaitlyn Amanullah is an outstanding student in the Engineering pathway at the STEM Academy. With a strong passion for math and science, her decision to pursue engineering was a natural choice for her academic concentration.

Being named Student of the Month, Kaitlyn says “It feels great to be named Student of the Month, I honestly wasn’t expecting it. I’m really proud of myself because all the hard work I’ve put in is worth it.” Kaitlyn's academic record is truly impressive, boasting a remarkable GPA of 4.56. Her dedication to her studies and her commitment to excellence are evident in her outstanding academic achievements.

Beyond her academic achievements, Kaitlyn is an active participant in various extracurricular activities. She excels both on and off the field, playing varsity basketball as a guard and forward and softball as a first baseman and outfielder. She is also involved in several school clubs and organizations, including the Environmental Club, Girls State, Gifted and Talented program, World Language Honor Society, and National Honor Society. Her commitment to these activities showcases her well-rounded and dedicated nature.

Kaitlyn's dedication to STEM education extends beyond her school's walls. She had the incredible opportunity to participate in the summer program at Rutgers Governor’s School of Engineering Technology, where she collaborated with her peers on a research project titled "Monitoring, Characterization, and Modeling of Stomatal Dynamic Behavior Under Climate Changes." The project was presented at MIT's research symposium and is currently pending publication in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Explorer.

In addition to her academic and extracurricular achievements, Kaitlyn is a talented musician who plays the flute. She is a member of a studio and enjoys the opportunity to perform and share her musical talents with others.

Looking ahead, Kaitlyn has ambitious plans for her future. She intends to attend college and pursue a master's degree in electrical computer engineering. Her determination and passion for engineering promise a bright future in this field.

Kaitlyn also has valuable advice for her fellow students, especially incoming STEM freshmen, “my advice is to not be intimated, have confidence in yourself, and don’t think that everyone is knows more than you. Confidence is key.”

Kaitlyn Amanullah's dedication to academic excellence, her involvement in extracurricular activities, and her passion for engineering make her a remarkable student with a promising future. We look forward to witnessing her continued success!

Congratulations Kaitlyn!