GCIT Weekly Newsletter

The American Red Cross came to GCIT to host its annual blood drive on Wednesday, February 25. Our cheetahs turned out in force to help save lives. The Red Cross collected 68 units of blood, which exceeded the goal of 65! This is a true testament to our students' charitable sprit and willingness to help others.

This day wouldn't have been possible without the HOSA volunteers. They made sure students were checked in, hydrated, comfortable during donation, and fully recovered after donating. A special thanks to the following students who helped during the entire drive:

• Melanie Steward
• Sophia Luedke
• Sopiha Brennan
• MiaBella Wilkers
• Tamara Steward
• Ashlynn Manga
• Marina Hoagland
• Cailtin Estabillo
• Quang Cung

Written by Ms. Snodgrass - Health & Physical Education Teacher

We are proud to share that our Annual Blood Drive was a tremendous success! This meaningful event brought together students and staff in support of a truly life-saving cause.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who generously donated blood. Your willingness to give of yourselves reflects the compassion and service-minded spirit that defines the GCIT community. Each donation has the potential to save lives, and that impact cannot be overstated.

We are equally grateful to the many volunteers who dedicated their time and energy to ensure the day ran smoothly. From assisting with registration to supporting donors throughout the process, your efforts helped create a seamless and positive experience for all involved.

A very special thank you goes to Ms. Snodgrass for her outstanding leadership in planning and organizing this event. Her attention to detail and commitment to excellence ensured that every aspect of the day was thoughtfully executed. Because of her dedication, the blood drive was not only well organized, but also fostered a warm and welcoming environment where every donor felt valued, supported, and safe.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this year’s blood drive such a meaningful success. We are proud of the generosity and teamwork displayed by our GCIT community and look forward to continuing this important tradition in the years to come.

As we wrapped up CTE Month, the energy in our building was truly something special! This week, the Cosmetology and Health Science programs brought their classrooms to life by sharing their knowledge, talents, and hands-on skills with our entire school community.

The 400 entrance was buzzing with activity all week long. From learning how to create neat and stylish braids, to mastering rollers for the perfect curls, our talented Cosmetology students showcased both their technical expertise and creativity. Meanwhile, Health Science students engaged visitors with interactive learning experiences about the body’s systems—making complex concepts informative, accessible, and fun.

And let’s not forget the spa treatments! Staff and students alike enjoyed hand massages and paraffin wax dips, with some staff members happily returning each day to treat themselves again. These moments not only highlighted the students’ growing professional skills, but also created opportunities for connection, relaxation, and community building.

This week was a wonderful reflection of what Career and Technical Education is all about—teaching, learning, practicing real-world skills, and serving others with professionalism and pride. Thank you to the dedicated staff and talented students in our Cosmetology and Health Science programs for ending CTE Month on such a high note. Your passion and commitment were on full display, and our entire school community benefited from your hard work and generosity!

At GCIT, we often talk about the lasting impact educators have on the lives of their students. Few embody that impact more fully than Mrs. Katie Arnold, whose remarkable career in the cosmetology department has shaped not only a program but an entire community. Some educators teach skills. Others teach confidence, resilience, and pride. Mrs. Katie Arnold has done all of that—and so much more.

Mrs. Arnold’s journey at GCIT began with humility and dedication, first serving as a substitute teacher and supporting students across a variety of departments. Even then, it was clear she had a natural gift for connecting with students and creating a welcoming, supportive environment. In 2005, she joined the cosmetology department full-time, beginning a career that would leave an indelible mark on our school. At the time, GCIT was still a shared-time school, and Mrs. Arnold played a unique role in our history, teaching the final shared-time cosmetology class. She stood at a pivotal moment of transformation, helping bridge our school’s past and its future with professionalism, grace, and unwavering commitment.

From that point forward, Mrs. Arnold became a cornerstone of the cosmetology program. She prepared countless students to earn their state cosmetology licenses, opening doors to careers and opportunities that changed the trajectory of their lives. But her impact went far beyond teaching technical skills. She taught her students patience, professionalism, and pride in their work. She taught them how to care for others, how to carry themselves with confidence, and how to persevere through challenges. She understood that cosmetology is not just about appearance—it is about helping people feel confident, valued, and seen. Her classroom was a place where students felt supported, encouraged, and empowered to believe in themselves.

The true measure of her legacy can be seen in the lives of her students today. Many of Mrs. Arnold’s former students are now successful salon owners, professional stylists, and entrepreneurs, building their own businesses and pursuing their dreams with confidence. They carry with them the lessons she taught—not just about cosmetology, but about dedication, professionalism, and believing in their own potential. Her influence continues to ripple outward, shaping the industry and empowering the next generation of professionals.

Mrs. Arnold also played a critical behind-the-scenes role as the cosmetology department’s purchasing coordinator, ensuring students and staff had the tools and resources needed to succeed. During her time at GCIT, she also extended her reach even further as a cosmetology evening school and summer school instructor, sharing her expertise with even more students and helping expand the program’s impact.

Her leadership extended beyond the classroom walls. As an advisor for SkillsUSA and FCCLA at both the state and national levels, she inspired students to pursue excellence and represent GCIT with pride. She coordinated Love Our Vets Day, reminding students of the importance of service and gratitude. She was instrumental in organizing and supporting some of GCIT’s most memorable traditions, including the cosmetology fashion show, the Mommy-and-Me Tea Party, the Blue Braiders team for the Out of Darkness Walk, the FCCLA Chili Cook-Off, Fall Food Truck Festival, and the Freshmen Meet and Greet. Through each of these events, she helped foster the sense of belonging and community that makes GCIT so special.

Just as meaningful as her impact on students was her camaraderie with her colleagues. Mrs. Arnold was more than a coworker—she was a friend, a mentor, and a source of positivity. She was always ready to lend a hand, share her expertise, or offer a word of encouragement. Her warmth, humor, and collaborative spirit strengthened the cosmetology department and enriched our entire school community. She made GCIT not just a workplace, but a family. Each time we gather for the cosmetology fashion show, each time we honor our veterans during Love Our Vets Day, and each time we celebrate the traditions that make GCIT so special, we will think of Mrs. Arnold. Her name is synonymous with these beloved annual events, and her spirit will forever be woven into the fabric of our school.

And of course, no tribute to Mrs. Arnold would be complete without mentioning her legendary role as a senior trip chaperone. Any rookie chaperone quickly learned that the best strategy was simple: stay close to Mrs. Arnold. Somehow—through her charm, her warmth, and her heartfelt story as an educator traveling with her students—ride attendants would often grant her and her group the coveted pass straight to the front of the line at Disney World. To this day, we’re not entirely sure how she did it, but we know it was pure Mrs. Arnold magic. Decked out in her Mickey ears tiara and matching shirt, she embraced every moment with joy and enthusiasm. She knew the best rides, the best spots, and most importantly, how to create unforgettable memories for her students and colleagues. She reminded all of us that while education is serious work, it should also be filled with joy, laughter, and connection.

Mrs. Arnold, thank you for your dedication, your passion, your friendship, and your unwavering commitment to your students and colleagues. Thank you for the laughter, the memories, and the countless lives you have shaped. Your legacy is one that will never fade—it will continue to shine, inspire, and uplift for generations to come.

Because of you, Mrs. Arnold, GCIT will always be a little more polished, a little more confident, and a lot more beautiful. And while you may be retiring, your impact here is truly shear brilliance—and it’s a legacy that will never go out of style.

Congratulations, and thank you for your years of service!

Join the GCIT PTO on Friday, April 17 for a fun-filled Designer Bag Bingo night packed with excitement, prizes, and plenty of laughs! Even better, all proceeds support our Career & Technical Student Organizations as they prepare for State competitions.

Grab your friends and family, mark your calendars, and get ready to shout “Bingo!” — all while supporting our students. Stay tuned for ticket details and more information on how to join the fun!

Parents and staff we will need your help to make this event a success. Sign up using the link below!

Health Science students interested in pursuing a career as a Physical Therapist Assistant recently had the opportunity to visit the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program at Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ). During the visit, students explored a variety of therapeutic modalities and assistive devices used in clinical practice, gaining valuable insight into the hands-on skills required in the profession.

A special thank you to Ms. Doyle and Mr. Yanez for welcoming our students, providing an in-depth overview of the program, and clearly outlining the admissions process. Their time and guidance helped our students better understand the pathway to a rewarding career in physical therapy.

Written by Rebecca Melniczuk - Health Science Instructor

A big round of applause to every HOSA member who accepted the challenge and competed at the Regional Competition! 👏

We are incredibly proud of each and every participant. Preparing, studying, practicing skills, and stepping into competition takes courage, discipline, and you represented our program with excellence.

🏅 Congratulations to our Top 5 Winners listed below!
Your hard work, focus, and commitment to health science truly paid off. Those who placed in the top 3 will be moving onto States!

• Biotechnology : 1st Vir Patel , 2nd Josiah Darminio
• CPR / First Aid: 3rd Jayden Lawrence / Michael Asis
• EMT: 5th Sophia Brennan / Shoshanna Harris
• Epidemiology: 3rd Teagan Ryan
• Human Growth and Development : 1st Gunjan Sharma, 3rd Soha Modi
• Medical Spelling: 1st Quang Cung
• Medical Terminology: 2nd Halima Diallo
• Nutrition: 2nd Maya Malik
• Pharmacology: 3rd Annika Blomquist, 4th Remo Sanares

Written by Rebecca Melniczuk

School Based will be working with various freshmen PE classes, and we will be coming into the Health classes and presenting information on mental health, depression, suicidal ideation and speaking to a professional in times of need. These are always important lessons, and we want to make sure students understand we want to STOP THE STIGMA. Along with reducing the negative stigma surrounding mental health, I would also like you to be aware of the dangers of vaping. A colleague of mine will be providing a virtual session on March 5th from 6:00-7:30. It is free to sign up, and I would encourage you to sit in with your child.

We are in the process of squaring away our trip to DC on May 14th. We had 140 students apply to go, which is wonderful, but we can only accommodate 48 students. We did randomize the applicants that applied to keep things fair for everyone that applied to go. Thank you for the interest in attending. This is always a very popular trip, but because we cover the costs of the bus, the shirts and the events themselves, we cannot accommodate such a large number of students.

School Based will be going to Cathedral Kitchen on March 18th. The permission slips will be available next week in the School Based suites. Please remember that you must be 16 in order to participate. Your service is always appreciated and thank you for volunteering. You are doing a wonderful thing for other people that are experiencing difficulties.

I had previously mentioned this and would like to put this out to the parents. Unfortunately, many of our students have experienced a form of loss, and we want to make sure they understand School Based is here to help you deal with that loss. This will be a group session, and this will be open to any student that has dealt/dealing with a loss. Whether that is a family member, extended family member, friend, or a beloved pet. Loss and grief have no time limit, and we all grieve in a different capacity. School Based just wanted the students to understand there are others that are also dealing with loss, and they do have someone at school that understands. Please complete this link if you would like your student to participate. If you already replied to the link you do not need to do so again.

Healing Hearts.

https://forms.office.com/r/nVSgQjwV4Q?origin=lprLink

National Honor Society students working diligently to prepare sandwiches for those in need. The students made roughly 500 PB&J sandwiches!!! Mr. Ruiz generously will be dropping those off to Cathedral Kitchen tomorrow. THANK YOU!!!!!

School Based thanks you for supporting us and if you need to talk please reach out to one of the SBYS counselors.

Thank you and have a great weekend!

Written by Dr. Jacob - Director of School Based Youth Services

Join us for the Out of the Darkness Walk, a powerful suicide prevention event taking place on May 3. This walk is a meaningful way to raise awareness, show support for those affected, and stand together as a community that cares.

We encourage students, staff, and families to participate, reflect, and make a difference. Every step matters in spreading hope, promoting mental health, and letting others know they are not alone.

For more information or to get involved, please contact Mr. Ruiz at eruiz@gcecnj.org.

Let’s come together as a GCIT community and walk with purpose—because every step can save a life. 💛🖤

Join Gloucester County as we support AFSP's mission to

save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.

Register NOW and ask friends and family to join you, and kick off your fundraising to support our lifesaving work.

Our Out of the Darkness Campus Walks are designed to engage youth and young adults in the fight to prevent suicide, the third leading cause of death among people ages 15-24.

With your efforts, walking and fundraising, you are helping make suicide prevention and mental health awareness a national priority. All are welcome to walk with us - you do not need to be a student!

This week, the Health Science Academy was honored to attend an event sponsored by Stockton University. This event was created by the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey, and our students learned about various types of brain injuries, including concussions. Our students also met students from other schools, spoke with healthcare professionals in the field of brain injury, and participated in a round table discussion.

We are so thankful to have our students participate in such a well run and informative event.

Written by Kelly Boskey - Health Science Instructor

Last Friday evening, the stage in the theatre came alive with music, laughter, and incredible talent as the Parliamentarian Club hosted this year’s Talent Show!

From powerful vocal performances and impressive instrumental pieces to high-energy dance routines and creative acts that kept the audience guessing, our students truly shined. Each performer brought courage, passion, and personality to the stage, showcasing not only their talents but also the confidence it takes to step into the spotlight.

A very special thank you goes out to all of the participants who bravely shared their talents with our school community. It takes tremendous confidence to perform in front of peers, staff, and families, and we applaud each of you for stepping forward and making the evening so memorable.

The event was a wonderful reminder of the creativity and diversity within our GCIT community. The audience filled the room with enthusiastic applause and support, creating an uplifting atmosphere that celebrated every participant.

A special thank you to the staff and students in the Parliamentarian Club, especially Mr. Dave White, for organizing such a memorable evening. Their hard work behind the scenes—from planning and promotion to stage management—ensured a smooth and successful event for all. Because of their dedication, our students were given a platform to express themselves and share their gifts with the entire school community.

It was truly a night to remember, and we are so proud of everyone who made the Talent Show a success!

• Virginia became the first state to allow inter racial marriage in 1967 and Alabama was the last state to allow inter racial marriage…in 2000!

• Thurgood Marshall is the first African American to be named a Supreme Court Justice in 1967, the second African American Supreme Court Justice wouldn’t be until 1991 and the third African American Supreme Court Justice wouldn’t be until 2022!

• Halle Berry is the first, and only, African American woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress…in 2001!

• The practice of vaccinations began in America by a slave named Onesimus. In 1721, a smallpox epidemic struck the city of Boston. This highly contagious virus was killing hundreds. Onesimus was purchased in 1706 for Cotton Mather. Onesimus confided to Mather about the practice of inoculations, which had been used in Africa for centuries. They managed to successfully inoculate 240 people.

As we reflect on these important moments in history, we are reminded of the many contributions African Americans have made to our nation’s growth and progress. Each milestone represents perseverance, talent, innovation, and a commitment to expanding opportunity for future generations.

Black History Month provides us with a meaningful opportunity to celebrate these achievements, learn from the past, and recognize the individuals whose impact continues to shape our communities today. May we carry forward a spirit of appreciation, understanding, and respect as we honor the rich history and lasting contributions of African Americans.

We are thrilled to celebrate an extraordinary accomplishment by Annabelle Carter, who has been crowned the NJSIAA Bowling State Championship State Champion!

With this incredible victory, Annabelle has made history as the first girl ever to win this championship twice during a high school career in the history of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA). This remarkable achievement is a testament not only to her exceptional talent, but also to her dedication, focus, and unwavering determination.

Annabelle’s success represents countless hours of practice, perseverance through challenges, and a commitment to excellence that inspires everyone around her. Competing at the highest level and emerging as a two-time state champion is truly a rare and outstanding accomplishment.

We also extend our heartfelt congratulations to Coach Holland for his leadership, guidance, and support in helping Annabelle reach this historic milestone. Behind every great athlete is a coach who believes, motivates, and pushes them to be their very best.

Congratulations, Annabelle, on this amazing and record-setting achievement. You have made our school community incredibly proud, and your name will forever be part of New Jersey high school bowling history!

This spring, GCIT will show support for important health causes through Wear Your Color Fridays, a HOSA-led initiative focused on awareness and education.

• March 13 – Kidney Cancer Awareness: Wear orange

• April 17 – Testicular Cancer Awareness: Wear purple

• May 8 – Brain Cancer Awareness: Wear gray

We encourage students and staff to participate, wear their colors proudly, and join HOSA in making a difference—one Friday at a time!

All students and staff are required to wear their GCIT lanyard and ID around their neck every day.

• Students must have their ID visible and on their GCIT lanyard before entering the building.

Wearing your GCIT ID helps ensure the safety and security of our school community. Please make sure to have it with you each day!

We would like to remind all students to follow the GCIT Dress Code Policy every day. Maintaining a respectful and appropriate learning environment helps everyone stay focused and successful.

Please keep the following guidelines in mind when getting ready for school:

• 👖 Bottoms (pants, skirts, shorts) must be fingertip length – be sure to check before leaving home.

• 👚 Stomachs must be covered – crop tops that expose the midriff are not permitted.

• 👕 Shirt straps must be at least two fingers wide – spaghetti straps are not allowed.

• 💤 No pajamas are permitted during the school day.

• No flipflops

📘 For more information, please review the full Dress Code Policy in the Parent/Student Handbook (page 13), available on the GCIT Website.

Let’s work together to make sure GCIT continues to be a professional and welcoming place for all!

• March 10 - 14 - School Musical
• March 14 - SAT
• March 20 - 12:15 pm Student Dismissal
• March 20 - The Cotillion - A Freshman and Sophomore Dance
• March 25 - 26 - I was Here; Dancing for Humanity
• March 28 - SkillsUSA Competitions at GCIT
• April 2 - 12:15 pm Student Dismissal
• April 3 -10 - Spring Break - School Closed
• April 13 - 17 - Assistant Principal Appreciation Week
• April 22 - Administrative Professionals Day
• April 24 - Spring Cabaret
• April 27 - 30 - Spring Dance Showcase
• April 28 - Love Our Vets Celebration
• May 1 - 12:15 pm Student Dismissal
• May 1 - Principal Appreciation Day
• May 1 - Junior Prom - 7:00pm to 11:00pm at The Forum (109 N Black Horse Pike Blackwood, NJ 08012)
• May 3 - Out Of The Darkness Walk
• May 4 - 8 - Teacher Appreciation Week
• May 5 - 8 - Freshman Production
• May 14 - Film Premier
• May 19 - 20 - Dance Senior Pieces
• May 22 - 12:15 pm Student Dismissal
• May 25 - School Closed - Memorial Day
• May 26 - GCIT Live
• May 27 - Senior Awards Ceremony: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
• May 29 - 12:15 pm Student Dismissal
• May 29 - Senior Prom at The Grove
• June 2 - Junior Trip to Hersey Park
• June 4 - Drama Academy Awards
• June 6 - SAT
• June 7 - 11 - Senior Trip to Disney in Orlando
• June 16 - 18 12:15 pm Student Dismissal
• June 18 - Last Day for Students (Tentative Graduation Day)
• June 22 - Last Day for Instructional Staff