Students honored: Hoboken Board recognizes students of the month and Jay Malik's national app prize
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Summary
The board recognized multiple students of the month across the district and honored Hoboken High student Jay Malik for winning third place in the U.S. Congressional App Challenge for Microtia AI, an accessibility transcription app.
The Hoboken Board of Education began its January meeting by recognizing district students of the month from Brandt, Connors, Wallace, Hoboken Middle and Hoboken High schools.
Principals and administrators described individual nominations and classroom accomplishments. Among those honored: Ryan Weisman (Joseph F. Brandt School) was recognized for consistent kindness and participation; Justice Bryant (Thomas E. Connors School) was noted for advancing two DRA reading levels; Melissa Santiago (Wallace Elementary) was singled out for perseverance and classroom citizenship; and Caden Atkins (Hoboken Middle School) was noted for accountability and leadership.
Hoboken High School student Jay Malik received a district plaque for earning third place in the 2025 U.S. Congressional App Challenge. Jose Manuel Fernandez, supervisor of science and innovative technology, described Malik's Microtia AI app as "an AI assistant designed to support individual microtia," explaining it transcribes spoken language in real time to improve communication and accessibility for users. Fernandez said the district will require first-year computer science students to submit final app projects for future competitions.
"I have a strong feeling that many of us are gonna hear the name Jay Malik again and again in the near future," said Jose Manuel Fernandez.
The board applauded the students; principals and student government representatives also provided brief school updates and upcoming event dates.