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.
Learn more about the event here.
