North Bergen DesignQuest Teams Dreams of Success and Serving Somerset, each received a Special Judges' Recognition Award for 2025. Each team created an organization with a website to highlight the struggles of families in both Somerset and Hudson counties in New Jersey. Each team also had to create a business plan, video describing the website and other materials; with art and music in mind. Serving Somerset was recognized for Social Emotional Learning and Dreams of Success was recognized as Innovative.
Serving Somerset Team: Melanie Chauca, Eduard Culajay Xajil, Mariela Benitez, Noah Rodriguez and Laura Salamanca
Dreams of Success Team: Cristian Leon Lorenzo, Valeska Escalante, Chris Patel, Richard Cali Perez, Kiana Negron, Jerraldy Lopez, Flavio Rodriguez, Nirmohi Thakur and William Vega
The teams worked with Mrs. Stern-Protz on their projects and would also like to thank Dr. Welz for her support and guidance. Each team also would like to thank their NJTA mentors, professionals who gave their time and energy, and Dreams of Success would like to thank Mrs. Ramadan for her role in bringing the North Hudson Community Action Group into the project. As with all of our teams in competition, we thank the North Bergen Board of Education and Administration, Mr. Locricchio and our teachers at North Bergen STEM Academy and North Bergen High School.
You can watch their videos here:
Serving Somerset: https://youtu.be/bNIk1HdjHyA
Dreams of Success: https://youtu.be/FEfwavADArY