High Tech High School team wins Best Overall Tower at NJ Architecture Week STEAM Challenge. High Tech High School is proud to announce that its student team, the Laser Cat Archies, earned the Best Overall Tower Award at the NJ Architecture Week Women's STEAM Interscholastic High School Architecture Tower Challenge, held at Hackensack High School on April 14, 2026. Hosted by the AIA Architects League of Northern New Jersey, the competition brings together students from across Northern New Jersey for a day of hands-on design and real-world problem-solving. Now in its third year, the program continues to expand access to architecture and has received national recognition through an AIA K-12 Architecture Week Grant. Representing High Tech High School and the Design and Fabrication Academy (D|Fab), CTE Architecture instructor Vanessa Batista's team, The Laser Cat Archies, included Yashika Rathore, Emma Conway, Lorin Saer, Jaela Rodriguez, Arianna Graziani, and Gisset Hernandez. Competing against eight teams and approximately 50 participants, the team stood out for its strong combination of technical skill, creativity, and collaboration. Students designed mixed-use towers using digital modeling software while working within real-world constraints such as zoning requirements and floor area ratio (FAR). They also constructed physical models, tested for seismic performance, and presented their work to a panel of architects. Throughout the day, participants worked alongside industry mentors, some of whom serve on the HCST Architecture CTE Advisory Committee, providing valuable real-world insight and strengthening connections between the classroom and the profession. The event featured a keynote by Elizabeth Pacheco, who encouraged students to explore careers in architecture and the built environment. "There wasn't a single dull moment," said student Kholoud Lahcini. "Even under pressure, working together made all the difference - and winning made it even more rewarding." The achievement of the Laser Cat Archies highlights the impact of collaboration, resilience, and creative thinking - key skills that will continue to shape their future work in architecture and design.

High Tech High School students win "coup de Cœur" Award at prestigious international French Theater Festival in New York. Students from High Tech High School have been honored with the "Coup de Cœur du Costume" award at the 2026 Première Scène Theater Festival, hosted by the Cultural Center of the Lycée Français de New York. The festival, a cornerstone of the Francophone cultural calendar since 1999, brings together over 400 students from the United States, Canada, France, and beyond. This year's theme, "Curiosité" (Curiosity), challenged participants to perform original or excerpted works in French, limited to five minutes with minimal set design. The High Tech High School ensemble( Milan Zhu, Soolim Bae, Kohana Matsuno) captivated the jury with the scene titled, "Une voyante qui n'a pas perdu la boule !" (A fortune teller who hasn't lost her marbles!). "Winning the 'Coup de Cœur' is a testament to our students' creativity and their ability to blend language arts with visual storytelling," said Dr. Laje Gashi. "To compete on an international stage at the Lycée Français and be recognized by a professional jury is an incredible milestone for our French program." The Première Scène festival provides a unique immersion experience, requiring students to master complex French dialogue while performing in front of a live audience and a distinguished jury of artists and educators. High Tech High School's success highlights the strength of its world language department and its commitment to providing students with global cultural opportunities.

2026 NJ Governor's Awards in Arts Education recipient: HTHS ANABELLA SORNOZA. High Tech High School is proud to announce that Anabella Sornoza, a senior in the Dance Performance Division, has been selected to receive the Student Award for Exceptional Artistry & Community Leadership in Dance as part of the 2026 New Jersey Governor's Awards in Arts Education (NJGAAE). Presented through Dance New Jersey, the NJGAAE recognizes outstanding students and educators who demonstrate excellence, commitment, and leadership in the arts. Anabella's selection highlights not only her artistic talent but also her meaningful contributions to the dance community both within High Tech High School and beyond. Under the mentorship of instructor Ms. DeFilippis, the Dance Performance Division continues to cultivate technically strong, expressive, and community-minded artists. Anabella exemplifies these qualities through her dedication to rehearsals, collaborative spirit, and leadership among her peers. "Through her powerful stage presence and fearless creative voice, Anabella has grown into an artist of exceptional depth and integrity. It has been a privilege to witness her leadership and dedication firsthand. The New Jersey Governor's Awards in Arts Education could not have chosen a more deserving recipient," shared Ms. DeFilippis.