“My open-mindedness about the beauty of diversity and multiculturalism is a gift I cherish, and I do believe it stems from the surroundings I grew up in at the FAA.” Salma, Class of 2022
Current School: The Ohio State University (Starting in Fall 2026)
Q: Tell me about your background, interests, and educational journey thus far.
I am Filipino Moroccan, and I have been speaking French for as long as I can remember. My parents enrolled me in the French American Academy at only 2 years old. I attended the French American Academy from Pre-K until 8th grade. I spent my elementary years at the New Milford campus and attended the Jersey City campus for middle school. I am now a Senior at the Bergen County Institute of Science and Technology at Northern Valley Demarest High School. I am part of the UX/UI/ Interactive Design Technology program of Bergen Tech, and am the president of the UX/UI student organization.
I have been a competitive dancer since I was 5 years old with Center Stage Dance Company, and am a part of the National Dance Honors Society. I have also been a part of the NVD tennis team since freshman year.
Q: At home and at school, you were surrounded by different languages and cultures. How do you think that shaped your identity?
Growing up, being surrounded by French culture really shaped who I am. Since attending the FAA, I’ve always felt connected to the French culture, even though I’m not of French heritage. Some of my best friends growing up had moved from France, and I still have friends to this day who live in other countries that I keep in touch with. Being fluent in French also allowed me to connect with my family in Morocco, especially my grandparents and cousins. When I was little we used to travel to Morocco, which made it much easier to get to know and bond with my family there because I speak one of their languages. It also allowed me to experience the beautiful country where my father is from.
Having French friends and constantly hearing and using the language made it feel familiar and natural to me, and when traveling to France and many parts of Europe, I have been able to use my French fluency to help my family get around and enjoy our vacations much more. The FAA exposed me to many people of many different backgrounds and cultures. I think this exposure has helped me become a more well-rounded person who is open to many different cultures and traditions.
Q: Looking back on your years at the FAA, are there projects, performances, or events that still stand out in your memory?
I remember our sleep-away trips with the FAA, which started when I was so young. One that definitely stood out was our 5th-grade trip to Canada, where we spent one week doing various activities and visiting different cities in Canada. My favorite event from the whole trip was going dog sledding in Quebec with my friends. I particularly loved this trip because, although it was educational and a tour of Canada and its history, I did so many fun things with my friends. It was like going on vacation with my entire class!
I really appreciated all the opportunities we had during the FAA to go on sleepaway trips starting in 3rd grade to Frost Valley, all the way until middle school, as they taught me independence and responsibility. These trips were some of my favorite experiences from my childhood.
Q: If you were speaking to a current FAA student, what advice would you give them to make the most of their time here?
I would tell them to make the most of their experience! Never take for granted the wonderful opportunity to attend such a unique school! Bilingualism or multilingualism is so important and helpful. My French fluency has widened my experiences and opportunities as a young person. My open-mindedness about the beauty of diversity and multiculturalism is a gift I cherish, and I do believe it stems from the surroundings I grew up in at FAA.
Q: The FAA is known for its small classes and close teacher-student connections. Can you share a moment that made a real difference for you?
I remember once in fourth grade, my friend group and I had a miscommunication, and instead of sitting back, my fourth-grade French teacher, Claire, sat my friends and me in a room and made us talk about our feelings and why we had each been acting the way we were. I am a firm believer in good communication. Talking things out can fix many issues. From a young age, this moment taught all of us how to handle disagreements maturely. This stood out to me, as looking back, it showed that our teachers’ close relationships with us allowed us to learn valuable life lessons from them, not just educational knowledge.
Q: What was your favorite thing about the FAA?
My favorite thing about the FAA was all the events and experiences we were given. At the FAA, there was always some sort of project we were part of or were taught to lead. For example, the Face a Face musical in my 7th grade year that was student-written and filmed, or the art competition we were a part of in my 8th grade year, where we photographed ourselves and covered every window in photographs to spread positivity. I loved how many projects we were immersed in at once, as it kept learning interesting, and we also learned valuable lessons about teamwork and friendship while learning academically. I also love that, in FAA, we were a community both inside and outside the classroom. It was so exciting to see parents (mine included) always get to participate in many of the kids’ activities. The FAA always opened its doors to families through school theater events, end-of-year carnivals, and the Thanksgiving feast.
Q: And finally, when you imagine where your education will take you in the future, how do you see bilingualism playing a role?
I see bilingualism playing a really important role in my future. Being able to speak other languages can open up a lot of opportunities for me, whether that’s in my career, travel, or meeting new people. I think it will help me stand out and communicate with a wider range of people, which is really valuable in today’s world. It could also give me the chance to study, work, or even live in places where French is spoken. Beyond opportunities, I feel like bilingualism will continue to shape how I think and understand others. It allows me to connect with different cultures on a deeper level, and I see that being a big advantage for me in the future.
Q: What are you studying or planning to study in college?
I’m planning on studying Medical Laboratory Science at The Ohio State University this fall.
