Passaic County Technical Institute proudly presents Fatma Ibrahim as the Class of 2025 Salutatorian, an exceptional student who exemplifies academic excellence, leadership, and artistic talent. With an impressive GPA of 4.4, Fatma has distinguished herself as a dynamic and driven student whose creativity and ambition have left a lasting impact on the school community.
Fatma is a student in the Advertising Art and Design program within the School of Communication Arts. Her passion for drawing began in early childhood and naturally led her to pursue a CTE that allowed her to cultivate her skills. “If I ever choose not to pursue it in college, I still feel prepared thanks to the incredible teachers who helped shape my path,” she shared.
Fatma’s achievements extend far beyond the classroom. She serves as president of the National Honor Society, World Language Honor Society, Rho Kappa Honor Society, and the Astronomy Club. She is also involved in SkillsUSA, the History Club, Book Club, and the Gifted and Talented Program. In addition to her academic commitments, Fatma is a varsity starter on PCTI’s flag football team—demonstrating her versatility and team spirit.
After school, Fatma volunteers at her local library, where she helps young children build their reading skills. She also runs her own art business, creating and selling original pieces, a reflection of her entrepreneurial spirit and creative drive.
After graduation, Fatma plans to attend Harvard University to major in engineering, with aspirations of eventually pursuing law school to become an intellectual property lawyer.
Reflecting on her time at PCTI, Fatma shares, “Being part of this school has made me more daring and bolder. It challenged me and gave me space to grow through every setback I encountered.”
When asked about being named salutatorian, Fatma expressed excitement and pride. “I suppose no one really expects a kid from the art program to be salutatorian. I feel like it’s really a reminder to anyone that anything is possible.”
To incoming freshmen and underclassmen, she offers this advice: “You miss every shot you don’t take, so just put yourself out there and see what happens.”
Congratulations to Fatma Ibrahim, the Class of 2025 Salutatorian! We celebrate her remarkable accomplishments and wish her continued success as she embarks on her next chapter.
Passaic County Technical Institute is proud to recognize Josh Cooper as the Valedictorian of the Class of 2025, a student whose academic excellence, artistic passion, and leadership have left a lasting impression on our school community. With a GPA of 4.43, Josh exemplifies both scholastic achievement and creative dedication.
A student in the School of Performing Arts Theater Program, Josh chose this pathway to sharpen his acting abilities and build confidence on and off the stage. Over the past four years, he has embraced every opportunity to grow as a performer and scholar, demonstrating both discipline and passion in pursuit of his goals.
“Being named valedictorian makes me feel like all my hard work has paid off,” Josh shared. “I feel accomplished.”
Josh’s contributions to PCTI extend well beyond the classroom. He is a member of the National Honor Society, World Language Honor Society, Rho Kappa Honor Society, and Gifted and Talented Program. He also serves as president of the National Thespian Society, reflecting his leadership in the arts.
Outside of school, Josh is actively involved in community theater—both on stage and behind the scenes in lighting and sound. He also enjoys skiing, spending time with friends, and relaxing with his dogs.
Looking ahead, Josh will be attending Syracuse University’s prestigious Musical Theater Program, where he hopes to continue honing his craft and one day perform on Broadway.
Reflecting on his PCTI experience, Josh credits the school with helping him find balance between academic and artistic pursuits, ultimately building the confidence he now carries into the next chapter.
For incoming freshmen, Josh offers this advice: “Pursue your goal without letting the small details derail you—but don’t let those goals consume your small joys, like family, friends, and the memories you’ll never forget.”
Congratulations, Josh Cooper, the PCTI Class of 2025 Valedictorian! We applaud your achievements and look forward to the many stages you will light up in the future.
The PCTI STEM Academy proudly announces Valencia Lowhur as the Salutatorian of the Class of 2025. A student of the Academy of Computer Science, Valencia has demonstrated exemplary academic performance, intellectual curiosity, and leadership throughout her four years. With an outstanding GPA of 4.48, she has distinguished herself among the top scholars in her class.
Valencia’s passion for technology was first sparked in middle school, where a robotics class ignited her fascination with programming and innovation. This early interest led her to pursue the Computer Science pathway at PCTI, where she continued to challenge herself through rigorous coursework and hands-on learning.
Her academic journey reflects both dedication and excellence, culminating in the honor of being named salutatorian. “Being named the salutatorian makes me feel incredibly proud. It’s a reminder that all the effort I put in these past four years truly means something, this is my ‘I did it’ moment,” she shared.
Valencia is an active member of several academic and leadership organizations, including the TI@TI Leadership Club, World Language Honor Society, Gifted and Talented, and National Honor Society. Beyond academics, she has pursued a wide range of artistic and intellectual interests. A gifted pianist since the age of five, she has performed at Carnegie Hall numerous times, beginning at just six years old. She performed her first concerto at age 10, marking a milestone as the youngest participant in that event. She also enjoys singing, drawing, reading, and solving puzzles such as crosswords—activities that allow her to both relax and challenge herself.
A fun fact about Valencia: she finds joy in cooking and baking, which she likens to chemistry—except with a delicious reward. “It reminds me of one of my favorite classes, but in the end, you get to share something you love with those who matter most.”
After graduation, Valencia will attend Northeastern University, where she plans to major in Cell and Molecular Biology and pursue a career in the medical field. While her path shifted from computer science to the life sciences, she continues to see the value in her programming skills and plans to carry them forward in her studies and future career.
Reflecting on her time in the STEM Academy, Valencia credits the guidance of her teachers and especially her guidance counselor, Ms. Bania, for helping her grow both academically and personally. “Their support gave me the confidence and direction I need as I plan for the future.”
Her advice for incoming freshmen: “Don’t be afraid if your interests change, it's part of the journey. I started with computer science and discovered my love for science through an unexpected challenge in chemistry. Embrace growth, explore new interests, and always be open to where your passion leads you.”
Congratulations to Valencia Lowhur, the Class of 2025 PCTI STEM Salutatorian! We celebrate her achievements and look forward to all she will accomplish in the years ahead.
The PCTI STEM Academy proudly recognizes Salman Chowdhury as the Valedictorian of the Class of 2025. A student of the Academy of Engineering, Salman has demonstrated exceptional academic performance, leadership, and a commitment to his community throughout his four years. With an impressive GPA of 4.5, he has earned recognition as one of the top scholars in his class.
Salman’s passion for engineering was sparked by his love for math from a young age. He saw engineering as the ideal pathway to apply his mathematical understanding, which led him to pursue the Engineering Academy at PCTI STEM. His academic journey is a testament to his hard work and dedication, culminating in the honor of being named valedictorian. “Being named valedictorian feels great—it feels like a culmination of four years of hard work and dedication, and I’m proud to know I can serve as a role model for the underclassmen,” he shared.
Beyond academics, Salman has contributed significantly to school life. He is a four-year varsity fencer, serving as the foil captain this past season. As the current president of the district’s FBLA program and STEM vice president as well as other extracurricular activities, Salman has demonstrated strong leadership and a drive to make a difference.
Salman also enjoys spending time with family and friends. “I like playing soccer, eating out, playing video games, and going to the mall with my family,” he shared. He is also actively involved in his community, participating in food drives and various other community projects.
A proud Bengali immigrant, Salman’s achievements are further highlighted by his acceptance to five Ivy League schools, including the “Big 3” Harvard, Princeton, and Yale.After graduation, Salman will attend Harvard University, where he plans to explore applied math and engineering. Although undecided on a specific major, he is interested in pursuing a career in engineering consulting or a related field.
Reflecting on how the STEM Academy has shaped him, Salman credits the school for fostering a supportive and collaborative environment. “STEM has provided a community of very genuine people who have supported me, and I’ve supported them for the past four years. It’s helped me grow collectively as part of a community,” he said.
For incoming freshmen, Salman offers this advice: “Just put yourself out there, do what you want to do, and achieve your goals. Don’t worry about what others might think or say because, at the end of the day, you want what is best for you and the people around you. Other people’s perceptions shouldn’t have an impact on you.”
Congratulations to Salman Chowdhury, the Class of 2025 PCTI STEM Academy Valedictorian! We celebrate his remarkable achievements and look forward to all the future success he will undoubtedly achieve.