Meet the PSLA at Fowler Class of 2024 Valedictorian and Salutatorian!

We are so proud of all of our hardworking soon-to-be #SCSDGraduates in the SCSD Class of 2024! Today, meet the top performing students at PSLA at Fowler High School - Valedictorian Maria Mohamed and Salutatorian Timothy Sass, Jr. Stay tuned this week as we feature the top performers from each SCSD high school!

PSLA Valedictorian - Maria Mohamed 

What are your plans after graduation (what college, what interest in terms of major)? I will be attending Syracuse University, where I plan to study Mechanical Engineering. My dad is into cars and stuff, and it interests me, learning how they work. I’ve always loved building stuff!
 
What activities have you been involved in outside of class/outside of school? President of the Student Council, President of National Honor Society, Vice President of Skills USA, Community Wide Dialogue Facilitator, Yearbook
 
What has been the best part of your high school career and why? Now! I’m finally done. Everything I’ve worked for all these years is finally happening, and I’ve made great memories along the way.  
 
What was your proudest moment in high school? I’ve matured, when it comes to school, friendship – everything! I’m proud that I’ve learned that I can deal with the unexpected challenges and changes – I know that those things are a part of life.
 
What are you most looking forward to about college? I’m most looking forward to being able to study my intended major, and the safety of having that degree, no matter where life takes me.
 
What’s the best thing you’ve learned over the course of your time in the SCSD? School is about more than friends! Focus on getting yourself to where you want to be. Don’t feel guilty or selfish for prioritizing yourself or your family over friendships.
 
What advice would you give to other students as they continue their studies here? Think about what you want to do before you get to high school. I missed a lot of opportunities that I would have enjoyed because I would have needed to start them in my freshman year, and that put me on a different path. That said, don’t stress. You can always change your direction!
 
What is something major you hope to achieve in life? I really want to have a family. That’s the most important thing to me. Growing up, I had a lot of obstacles in my path. I really want to be able to raise a family in a stable, loving home – I want to be able to raise my family the right way.

PSLA Salutatorian – Timothy Sass, Jr.  

What are your plans after graduation (what college, what interest in terms of major)? I’ll be attending Syracuse University’s Newhouse School, where I plan to study TV, Radio, and Film. In my freshman year, during COVID, my church started livestreaming services, and I got into helping the man who was running the livestreams. He eventually left to start his own company, and I started working with him there. I’ve gotten more into media since then, and I ultimately hope to work as a Director of Photography one day.
 
What activities have you been involved in outside of class/outside of school? I’ve been in the Cybersecurity Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, the Superintendent’s Student Cabinet, and I did yearbook my freshman year. I also started my own media company, where I do freelance work.
 
What has been the best part of your high school career and why? When I came to PSLA at Fowler, I didn’t know anyone. I had to branch out and meet new people. I’ve ended up meeting the people who I’m most connected to in life, and I appreciate that.  
 
What was your proudest moment in high school? The day I turned 18, I went downtown and filled out my DBA (Doing Business As), a form that created my business entity. I want to frame it in my office one day!
 
What are you most looking forward to about college? I’m most looking forward to trying to make it on my own – the independence.
 
What’s the best thing you’ve learned over the course of your time in the SCSD? Being able to prioritize what really matters to me. I’ve learned through trial and error that sometimes, the small things in life don’t matter.
 
What advice would you give to other students as they continue their studies here? School isn’t everything. Make connections. Network. Find out what you want to do with your life. That is ultimately more important. The high school diploma is valuable – but in order to have a happy life, you have to do something that makes you happy.
 
What is something major you hope to achieve in life? I hope to work on productions and sets where I can say a name and people will know it – I want to work on big name productions!