On April 10 in Bayonne, Hudson County Executive Craig Guy announced the opening of the application period for the 2025–2026 Sports in Education Program. The announcement took place during a countywide soccer combine hosted at County Prep High School. The event marked the next phase of a program that began as a pilot in 2023.
At the same time, Guy and Hudson County Schools of Technology (HCST) officials celebrated the launch of a new student-run Food Bus at County Prep High School. Both programs aim to prepare students for future careers and improve their access to structured extracurricular activities.
- The 2025-2026 Sports in Education Program is now open for applications, connecting schools with top athletic training partners like Prime Athletic Development.
- Over 250 students from seven schools participated in a recent soccer combine hosted by the New York Red Bulls Academy.
- Hudson County students are gaining real-world culinary experience through a student-run Food Bus, converting an old school bus into a professional mobile kitchen.
Sports in Education Program Application Now Open
The Sports in Education Program is a county-funded initiative created to connect Hudson County students with organized athletic instruction and sports education. The 2025–2026 program now accepts applications from public schools, school districts, and charter schools until May 12, 2025.
The program provides structured sports programming during and after school, including leadership development, physical education, and wellness training. The upcoming cycle will run from November 10, 2025, to April 10, 2026, and will be supported by Hudson County’s Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs | Tourism Development (HCOCHA/TD).
Each school will receive a minimum of 18 weeks of programming, with 2 hours per week dedicated to sports training, nutrition education, and wellness instruction. Delivery options include in-school, after-school, and hybrid formats.
Students will receive instruction from Prime Athletic Development and other professional organizations. Coaches will work with educators to align athletic training with the school’s academic curriculum. The program targets students in grades 3 through 12.
The soccer combine at County Prep High School was attended by over 250 student-athletes from the following schools:
- Horace Mann Community School (Bayonne)
- Henry E. Harris Community School (Bayonne)
- Cordero Community School (Jersey City)
- Chaplain Charles Watters School (Jersey City)
- Hudson Arts & Science Charter School (Kearny)
- Lincoln School (Harrison)
- Weehawken Elementary School (Weehawken)
The event was held in partnership with Prime Athletic Development, Champ Up Academy, and supported by the New York Red Bulls Academy.
Craig Guy said, “I am proud to support the development of our youth, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact the program will have on students as it grows.”
Program Director Gina Hulings, who also leads the County’s Cultural & Heritage Affairs office, said the program responds to the need for more inclusive athletic opportunities and wellness training in Hudson County schools.
Prime Athletic Development, the lead instructional partner, focuses on core athletic skills. These include:
- Basic running techniques, targeting students who lack foundational skills
- Light-weight strength training, emphasizing safety and injury prevention
- Dynamic warm-ups to promote safe physical activity
- Structured conditioning to build endurance and mental resilience
A study referenced by Prime Athletic Development found that over 60% of children fail to thrive in sports due to a lack of training in basic fundamentals. The organization designs its curriculum to build skills while promoting discipline and teamwork.
Second Student-Run Food Bus Launched at County Prep High School
Also on April 13, Craig Guy joined HCST Acting Superintendent Dr. Joseph Sirangelo, Business Administrator Nicholas Fargo, and School Board President John Minella to open the second student-run Food Bus. The bus is a fully equipped mobile food unit created from a decommissioned school bus.
The project was developed through a partnership with BradyPLUS and is part of HCST’s career and technical education initiative. The Food Bus provides hands-on training in food safety, kitchen operations, budgeting, and hospitality services.
The first Food Bus program began in 2024 with 20 students who operated the vehicle at public events. Students learned real-world culinary skills while gaining experience in customer service and business management.
During the ribbon-cutting event, students presented the following menu items:
- Shroom-Tastic Burger – Angus beef, mushroom patty, cheese, garlic aioli
- Cheese Me Up – Philly cheesesteak with beef, onions, peppers, cheese sauce
- Rhi-Licious Shrimp Tacos – Shrimp, mango salsa, coleslaw, pickled onions, cilantro sauce
- Flat and Fabulous – Margherita pizza with arugula and prosciutto
- Quack Attack Fries – Duck fat-fried golden fries
- Crisp-A-Chokes – Fried artichokes with lemon garlic aioli
Acting Superintendent Dr. Joseph Sirangelo said the Food Buses represent the best of what we strive for at HCST—experiential learning that empowers students to apply their skills in meaningful, real-world settings. Business Administrator Nicholas Fargo and School Board President John Minella agreed, calling it a strong example of how career programs help students succeed.
