Mr. Franklin Tapia, a PHS graduate of the class of 2009, is a supply chain analyst at Johnson and Johnson, and entrepreneur. Tapia spoke to Ms. Sciametta’s journalism class about staying focused, persevering, and not letting your past mistakes and obstacles get in the way of your future success.

Thinking About Our Futures: Career Week 2018

By Divya Rana ‘21

Passaic High School’s career week took place over three days from May 23 through 25. The school reached out to the community and some former residents of Passaic who roamed the halls of PHS. Many people volunteered and students listened to presentations on their careers that varied in time length and information. They visited classrooms and also presented in the auditorium to an eager audience of staff members and students. We were exposed to many different careers which opened a world of possibilities for them as they learned about what life was like beyond high school and the streets of Passaic.

Some of our dedicated staff members, Ms. Romero, Ms. Benedetti, Ms. Jose, Ms. Fabiano, Ms. Yilmaz, and Ms. Ruiz organized career week throughout the months of April and May. Many other staff members donated their time and efforts by helping to monitor students in the auditorium as well as recruit speakers to come give our students some insight and wisdom.

Some speakers include the following: Carlos Lopez, the owner of Tropical Juice Bar, Anna Maria Tejada, an attorney, Alberto Rivas, a judge, Gelena Solano, a television reporter for Univision, and our very own Mayor Hector Lora of Passaic.

Career week is essential because it introduces the students to a broader range of options that they might not see and gets them thinking about the world of work waiting for them. While presenters told students a lot about their jobs, there were plenty of questions asked that they were happy to answer. Career week may have ended but PHS students have just only begun their journey.

Judge Alberto Rivas: ‘Take Charge of Your Life’

Judge Alberto Rivas answered students’ questions during his presentation during Career Week.

By Melissa Reyes ‘21

Judge Alberto Rivas came to the Shirelles auditorium to educate Passaic High schoolers on May 25, on his success being a Superior Court Judge in New Brunswick, Middlesex County. Gaining admiration from the crowd of high schoolers, he addressed any questions students had regarding his career and life for Career Week.

He was asked many questions ranging from “What are your thoughts on immigration?” to “Do you regret any of your court decisions or stances you’ve taken in a trial?”

“Don’t lead an ‘ay bendito’ life,” said Rivas, “take charge of your life, don’t let circumstances, don’t let knuckleheads dictate to you. You set your own path, your own goal.”
He offered advice to anyone desiring to become a lawyer or judge, describing how “your reputation as a lawyer is important” as well as explaining in order to become a judge “you must have at least 10 years of experience.”

A former student who graduated PHS in 1978, he relates his experiences to many students who are children of immigrants.

Like many migrants, his parents worked in factories and made sure their children would not take education for granted. Judge Rivas tells his story of success in which many of our community can relate to. Thank you, Judge Alberto Rivas, for leaving an impact in Passaic, New Jersey!

Univision Royalty: Gelena Solano

Dominican talk show host, Gelena Solano, front row, center, spoke about her struggles and successes during her visit to Passaic High School.

By Armando Martinez ‘19

On the last day of Career Week, May 25, students from Passaic High School had the honor of meeting television host and reporter, Gelena Solano, in our very own Shirelles Auditorium. The Dominican talk show host is known for her role of 15 years on “El Gordo y la Flaca,” a national entertainment program for Univision.

Solano has interviewed countless of celebrities, both in American and Latin pop-culture. To name a few, the list includes Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Denzel Washington, Jennifer Lopez, Salma Hayek, and Thalia.

Even though, Solano’s life is full of glamour, she came from humble beginnings, and overcame tribulations to get where she is today. Born in the Dominican Republic, she came to the United States at the age of 16, and graduated from Kean University of New Jersey with a degree in Communications. Solano told students that she created a club for modeling at the university, with a couple of her best friends to accumulate money for themselves. One her best friends was actually Passaic High School’s very own, Maria Rodriguez, an AP Spanish teacher.

Solano became even more transparent when she discussed the biggest struggle in her life, which was an accident that left her in a coma for a month. For a year she had to undergo several surgeries, and physical therapy to recover from the incident. Although the accident was a bump on her path to success, Solano did not let it deteriorate her dream of being on TV. She is now married, a staple of television reporting, and living the life she always dreamed about.