Hrystyna Khrupalo has earned the distinction of PCTI Salutatorian, a recognition that reflects years of academic excellence, leadership, and dedication. A student in the Academy of Criminal Justice, Hrystyna chose the program because of the opportunities it provided to earn college credits while still in high school and to explore a field that aligned with her interests. Throughout her time at PCTI, she has embraced every opportunity to challenge herself and grow both academically and personally.
Being named Salutatorian is an accomplishment that Hrystyna describes as both exciting and rewarding. “It feels amazing and it feels like my hard work paid off,” she shared. Her outstanding 4.45 GPA is a reflection of the determination, discipline, and commitment she has demonstrated throughout her high school career.
Beyond the classroom, Hrystyna has been actively involved in athletics and student organizations. She serves as captain of the girls tennis team and is a member of both the World Language Honor Society and SkillsUSA. Her involvement across multiple areas of school life highlights her strong leadership skills and dedication to her school community.
Outside of school, Hrystyna remains committed to serving others. She is an active member of the Ukrainian Youth Association, where she participates in cultural activities, dances, and assists in programs that support children. These experiences have helped her develop a strong sense of responsibility, community, and service.
After graduation, Hrystyna plans to attend Binghamton University, where she has been accepted into the university’s research program. She looks forward to engaging in research opportunities that will challenge her academically, expand her knowledge, and help her develop the analytical skills needed for future success.
When offering advice to incoming students, Hrystyna encourages them to believe in their potential and push beyond self-imposed limitations. “Always push yourself,” she said. “The only limits are the ones you place on yourself.” Her message reflects the mindset that has helped her achieve success throughout her high school journey.
Reflecting on her experience, Hrystyna credits PCTI with helping shape her into the person she is today. Through the friendships, teachers, and mentors she encountered along the way, she gained the confidence and motivation to continually strive for more. “PCTI introduced me to a lot of new people, teachers, and classmates who inspired me to do better and push myself,” she shared.
Congratulations, Hrystyna! Your leadership, perseverance, and commitment to excellence have made a lasting impact on the PCTI community, and we wish you continued success in all that lies ahead.
Sarina Nushrat has distinguished herself as an exceptional student in PCTI’s Academy of Information Technology and has earned the honor of being named PCTI’s Valedictorian. Drawn to the program because of its versatility and real-world applications, Sarina recognized early on that the skills gained through Information Technology could open doors across countless industries. Even as her interests evolved, she knew the knowledge and experience she was gaining would remain valuable no matter what career path she ultimately pursued.
For Sarina, being named Valedictorian is both meaningful and emotional. “It feels like a mix of happiness, relief, and gratitude,” she shared. “I’m proud of the work I’ve put in, but I also know that I definitely didn’t get here alone.” She credits her parents, friends, teachers, and mentors for their support throughout her journey, viewing the achievement as a reflection of everyone who believed in her and encouraged her along the way. Her exceptional 4.56 GPA reflects the dedication, perseverance, and academic excellence that have defined her time at PCTI.
A highly engaged member of the PCTI community, Sarina has made her mark both inside and outside the classroom. She currently serves as Vice President of the PCTI SkillsUSA chapter, is an officer for MSA, and is a E-Board Member of the Gifted and Talented Program. She is also involved in the school’s speech and debate team and the National Honor Society. In athletics, Sarina has been a dedicated member of the girls varsity fencing team and golf team for the past four years.
Outside of school, Sarina enjoys spending time with family and friends. Whether she is relaxing with loved ones or pursuing personal interests, she values the connections and experiences that help keep her grounded and balanced.
This fall, Sarina will attend Harvard University, where she plans to study mechanical engineering. Her path to this accomplishment has included significant personal growth. Having moved to the United States from Bangladesh seven years ago, she faced many new experiences and challenges, including learning English and adapting to a new environment. She credits those experiences with helping her develop resilience, confidence, and an openness to new opportunities.
When offering advice to incoming students, Sarina encourages them to embrace uncertainty and growth. “Treat high school as a trial-and-error process,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to collect new experiences, even the awkward or unsuccessful ones, because those usually teach you the most.” She also reminds students that they do not need to have everything figured out right away and should give themselves permission to make mistakes, explore different interests, and discover who they want to become.
Reflecting on her time at PCTI, Sarina believes the opportunities she received have been transformative. From leadership roles and extracurricular involvement to exposure to diverse fields and experiences, PCTI helped her develop skills she knows she will carry with her long into the future. Most importantly, she says the school gave her the freedom to explore, build confidence, and pursue her goals with purpose.
Congratulations, Sarina! Your perseverance, leadership, and commitment to growth have left a lasting impact on the PCTI community and serve as an inspiration to those who will follow in your footsteps.
Gavin Wong has earned the distinction of PCTI STEM Salutatorian, a recognition that reflects years of dedication, leadership, and academic excellence. A student in the Engineering Academy, Gavin’s passion for the field began at a young age. Drawn to building and creating things, he found that engineering perfectly combined his interests in science, mathematics, and innovation. “I’ve always loved to create and build things, and combined with my passion for science and math, it felt like the perfect choice for me,” he explained.
Being named Salutatorian is an achievement Gavin views as both rewarding and meaningful. “It feels amazing, and it feels great to know that all of my hard work for the past four years has really paid off,” he said. As a freshman, he admired the accomplishments of the school’s top students and looked up to the Valedictorian and Salutatorian. Now, he finds it especially rewarding to serve as an example for younger students who may be following a similar path. His remarkable 4.5 GPA reflects the dedication and perseverance that have defined his high school career.
Gavin has made a significant impact throughout the PCTI STEM community through his involvement in academics, athletics, and leadership. He is an outside hitter on the varsity volleyball team, captain of the school’s VEX Robotics team, and an officer for SkillsUSA. He also serves as a lead CAD designer for the school’s NASA HUNCH team and competes in both FBLA and the New Jersey STEM League. In addition, Gavin is a member of the World Language Honor Society and National Honor Society, further demonstrating his commitment to excellence across multiple disciplines.
Outside of school, Gavin enjoys spending time with friends, exploring new places, trying different restaurants, and staying active outdoors. Whether he’s traveling, discovering new experiences, or enjoying recreational activities, he values opportunities to learn and grow beyond the classroom.
After graduation, Gavin plans to attend the University of Pennsylvania, where he hopes to pursue a degree in either artificial intelligence or computer engineering. Looking further into the future, he aspires to build a career in robotics or quantitative financial research, combining his technical skills with his passion for problem-solving and innovation.
When asked to share advice with incoming students, Gavin offers a simple but powerful message: trust the process. He encourages students to remain persistent through challenges and setbacks, understanding that growth often comes through difficult moments. “There will be many times where you feel like you've failed or you can't move on, but you just have to trust that everything happens for a reason,” he said.
Reflecting on his experience, Gavin credits PCTI STEM with helping shape both his academic goals and personal development. The mentors and teachers he encountered throughout his journey provided guidance, support, and encouragement that helped him discover what he wanted to achieve and how to pursue those goals. He views those relationships as one of the most valuable parts of his high school experience.
Congratulations, Gavin! Your leadership, determination, and passion for innovation have left a lasting impact on the PCTI STEM community, and we look forward to seeing all that you accomplish in the years ahead.
Avi Shah has earned the distinction of PCTI STEM Valedictorian, a recognition that reflects his academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to personal growth throughout his high school career. A student in the Engineering Academy, Avi was drawn to the field from an early age through his love of mathematics, science, and building things. “Growing up, I used to build a lot of Legos, and I always found engineering very inspirational and versatile,” he shared. That early curiosity developed into a passion that helped shape his educational journey.
Being named Valedictorian is an achievement Avi describes as both humbling and rewarding. “It feels like an incredible honor. I've always looked up to the past valedictorians, and I've worked hard these past four years to earn the entirety of my school career, so it feels like an incredible achievement,” he said. His outstanding 4.53 GPA reflects the dedication, discipline, and perseverance that have defined his time at PCTI STEM.
Avi has been deeply involved in the school community through academics, athletics, and leadership. He is a member of the varsity swim team and has served as a vice- captain of the VEX Robotics team for the past four years. In addition, he is President of STEM SkillsUSA and actively participates in LEAP, NASA HUNCH, and the American Legion Boys State program. He is also a member of three honor societies, demonstrating a commitment to excellence across multiple areas of student life.
Outside of school, Avi enjoys spending time with friends, playing pickleball, cooking, and golfing. He also enjoys being outdoors and values activities that allow him to stay active while maintaining a healthy balance between academics and personal interests.
After graduation, Avi plans to attend Harvard College, where he intends to study applied mathematics, economics, and computer science. Looking toward the future, he hopes to pursue a career in quantitative research or trading, combining his analytical mindset with his passion for problem-solving.
When sharing advice with incoming students, Avi encourages them to embrace new opportunities and remain open to discovering their interests. “You never know whether you're good at something or you have a true passion for something until you actually try it,” he said. He believes that stepping outside of your comfort zone is one of the best ways to learn, grow, and uncover new possibilities.
Reflecting on his experience, Avi credits PCTI STEM with helping him develop not only academically, but personally as well. Through the friendships, mentors, and experiences he gained during his four years, he learned valuable lessons that will stay with him long after graduation. “Being a part of PCTI STEM has helped shape me because I've met so many great friends, peers, and mentors, and I've learned a lot,” he shared.
Congratulations, Avi! Your leadership, intellectual curiosity, and dedication to excellence have made a lasting impact on the PCTI STEM community, and we look forward to seeing all that you accomplish in the years ahead.