Top Mustangs

Another important friend in her life is classmate Michelle Marin. Joseph described Marin as “one of the best things that has ever happened in my life” and added that Marin has supported her throughout high school by showing that she cares.

“I couldn’t be more thankful for all the memories that we have made together and I’m so proud of everything that she has done and will do in the future,” said Joseph.

Joseph will attend Rutgers this fall to study Biology. She’s excited for new opportunities and her long-term goal is to enter the medical field.

Higher education will ideally offer more stability than high school in a pandemic. A challenge for Joseph, like for many, was shifting from in-person to remote learning and back again after she grew comfortable in each setting.

She credited the support of her teachers and classmates, as well as her own dedication, for her ability to adjust and stay driven. Joseph specifically enjoyed AP Language and Composition with Ms. Andrea Miller-Hamilton.

“Her class was very unique in the sense that we were given a lot of freedom to write, discuss, or present topics that interested us,” said Joseph. “Ms. Miller-Hamilton is also very supportive and always someone that you can turn to for help in anything.”

The senior’s advice for the Class of 2024?

“Make the most of your final year,” she said. “Don’t stress too much about school or your future because, no matter what, you should always be proud of yourself and your accomplishments.”

Ranked sixth in her class, Marlene Muhammad doesn’t take her education for granted.

The Top 10 Mustang is the first female president of CHS’ Muslim Student Association. It’s given her leadership experience and a chance to foster a strong sense of “community and belonging” for CHS’ Muslim students.

Muhammad, 19, also experienced her own religious growth and credited her mother, Wafa, for her work ethic, values, and resilience.

“My mom has made countless sacrifices for our family and has always wanted better for us,” said Muhammad. “Her family never allowed her to continue with her education, but she always emphasized the importance of college to my siblings and me.”

Muhammad will continue her education this fall at NJIT, studying Forensic Science. She wants a chance to study and understand criminal behavior through a scientific lens. Her career goal is to become a forensic science investigator.

“I aspire to ensure that justice is served, improve public safety, and provide closure for victims and their families,” said Muhammad.

One aspect of high school that intimidated Muhammad was time management. She was initially worried about needing to pull frequent all-nighters. What helped her avoid that was writing to-do lists and starting work once she got home from school.

Muhammad enjoys baking as a form of creative expression in her free time. It’s become a way to relieve her anxiety and experiment with ingredients, flavors, and decorations.

“One of the biggest reasons why I still bake is that I associate baking with fond memories of my childhood,” she said. “Recreating those memories through baking is comforting and nostalgic.”

Muhammad volunteers when she’s not in school or decompressing. She volunteered at SMILE for Charity food pantry during her junior and senior years to support impoverished families who are experiencing food insecurity. She additionally volunteered as an English and math tutor for a fourth-grade student during her junior year through the Key Club.

Her advice to the rising seniors is simple: Follow your passions and pursue what will fulfill you. “Don’t chase a salary; life is about making an impact.”