Bridgeport News Stories

Bridgeport High School is proud to announce the Class of 2026's top two students: Valedictorian Omar Slieman and Salutatorian Abel Rivera. These two scholars have reached this milestone through dedication, family support, and a commitment to balancing their academic pursuits with their personal passions.

Valedictorian – Omar Slieman

For Omar, being named Valedictorian was a natural byproduct of his consistent effort. "It hasn’t always been a goal, but it’s an accumulation of all the work I’ve done," he explains.

• Motivation: As a first-generation American with Palestinian and Honduran roots, Omar is driven by his family's sacrifices to make the most of his opportunities.
   
• Overcoming Challenges: Omar faced his toughest academic stretch during his junior year while balancing a heavy load of OnRamps classes. He credits his success to staying consistent and learning from setbacks.
   
• Beyond the Classroom: Omar is an avid astronomer and guitar player. He believes that maintaining a life outside of school is key to staying motivated.
   
• Future Plans: He will be attending Rice University to study Aerospace Engineering, inspired by NASA missions and his own curiosity about how the world works.
   
• Legacy: "I hope people see that it’s possible to succeed in school without dedicating your entire existence to it".

Salutatorian – Abel Rivera

Abel views the title of Salutatorian as a representation of the time and focus he has poured into his studies. While he didn't set out with this goal in middle school, seeing his high school transcript motivated him to maintain a high standard for himself.

• Drive: Abel was motivated early on by his parents, who saw his potential. As the first in his family headed to college, he felt a drive to work hard and prove what he was capable of.
   
• Academic Grit: A particularly tough semester of OnRamps Physics taught Abel the importance of independent effort. He learned that success isn't handed to you; you have to decide what you want and put in the work.
   
• Study Secrets: Abel stays ahead by doing "pre-reads" for difficult classes and prioritizing deep, focused study sessions over long, distracted ones.
   
• Future Plans: Abel plans to pursue Mechanical Engineering, tapping into his lifelong passion for building things. He looks forward to exploring new perspectives and opportunities beyond Bridgeport.
   
• Legacy: Abel hopes to leave a legacy of sharing success and exposing opportunities to others who may be struggling.