(Secaucus, NJ––February 7, 2020) The first annual Winter Ball and Mr. High Tech contest took place at High Tech High School last Friday, February 7, marking the beginning of two new traditions at the Frank J. Gargiulo campus, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal at High Tech High School.
Conceived by student council members eager to make their mark on the new HTHS facility in Secaucus, council members from grades 9 through 12 worked with class advisors, school administrators, and their council co-coordinators, Mrs. Melissa Cruz and Ms. Jean Urbano, to develop and implement the two events.
The first of the two events, Mr. High Tech, featured several seniors who showcased their talents as performers and intellects before a jury of their peers and several select judges. Of the eight participants, Mikal Cabrera (of North Bergen), took home the title of Mr. High Tech, with fellow senior Nicky Sanchez (of Secaucus) taking home the People’s Choice award.
The Winter Ball, a semi-formal dance, took place in the transformed mall area which served as winter wonderland and dance floor––and featured a cameo by HTHS instructors Mr. Antonio Fuda as Elsa from Disney’s Frozen. While Mr. High Tech focused on seniors, the Winter Ball provided an opportunity for HTHS students from all grades and academies to gather outside of classes.
The inaugural event met its goal of changing school culture, according to Mrs. Melissa Cruz, Student Council Co-Coordinator, who said, “The Winter Ball was a wonderful opportunity for students in each academy and grade to create memories with another and begin new traditions.”
The Winter Ball and Mr. High Tech are the two latest traditions to emerge at the Frank J. Gargiulo campus. Last spring, the student council––supported by Mrs. Cruz and Ms. Urbano––initiated the Battle of the Classes, wherein students competed by grade in a day-long series of events to determine which class had the most school spirit. This year’s Battle of the Classes takes place on March 27, 2020.