Hoboken High School Announces Class of 2025 Valedictorian and Salutatorian
Hoboken, NJ, — Hoboken, NJ, —(May 8, 2025) The Hoboken Public School District proudly announces the Hoboken High School Class of 2025 Valedictorian and Salutatorian: Amalia Batlle and Madison Walia-Peters, respectively. Both students have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and a commitment to service throughout their high school careers.
Valedictorian – Amalia Batlle
Amalia Battle has earned the distinction of Class Valedictorian after completing 15 Advanced Placement courses. This fall, she will attend the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business to study Business Analytics.
A leader in and out of the classroom, she is an AP Scholar with Distinction, an AP Capstone Diploma recipient, and holds the NJ Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish.
Amalia’s extracurricular activities showcase her commitment to both academic and personal growth. She has received multiple awards, including an Honorable Mention at the 2024 International Paris Model UN competition (a college-level event), the Merit Award for Service in 2024, and a Merit Award at the 2024 National High School Model UN. She was named Best Delegate at the 2023 Harvard Model Congress Europe and has received Honorable Mentions at both the 2024 and 2022 Harvard Model Congress events in San Francisco.
In addition to these accomplishments, she holds leadership roles in various clubs, including President of the Spanish Honor Society, co-captain of the Debate Team, and Secretary of Best Buddies. Since her time as a student at Hoboken Dual Language Charter School (Hola), Amalia has been a leader. Amalia is also a representative in Student Government, a participant in the Classroom Without Walls program, and a member of the National Honor Society. Additionally, she is involved in Pals Camp for 2024. Throughout her high school journey, her mom has been a supportive influence, particularly in helping her plan college visits.
She is deeply interested in leadership and finding solutions to real-world problems, and has actively contributed to these areas through initiatives like helping to establish a peer tutoring program at Hoboken High. Through this program, Amalia paired academically excelling students with peers who needed extra help, which led to improved study habits, completed assignments, and better test performances. Her love for leadership and problem-solving has also been fueled by her childhood hobby of creating small businesses, such as making slime and bracelets. These experiences, combined with her leadership in organizing a free tutoring service at her school, have inspired her to pursue a career in business.
“I love projects surrounding leadership and how to solve real-world problems,” Amalia shared. “It’s about making a real impact.”
Salutatorian – Madison Walia-Peters
Madison Walia-Peters has been named the Class of 2025 Salutatorian after completing 16 AP courses. She will attend Harvard University this fall to study Anthropology on a Pre Med Track.
Madison has represented the Hoboken School District at Princeton and Harvard Model Congress, as well as Saint Peter’s Model UN. A Governor’s STEM Scholar and Co-Captain of the Varsity Volleyball Team, she has also made significant contributions to student advocacy. In 2022, she co-authored an open letter in support of a $240 million bond referendum to fund a modern high school facility. She later founded the Health and Wellness Subcommittee of Student Government, launching initiatives on mental health, suicide prevention, and teen wellness. Through her years in the Hoboken Public School District, Madison has been an avid participant in the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth Program.
Madison’s academic achievements include 2nd Place in the U.S. Physics Olympiad, Honorable Mention in the U.S. Biology Olympiad, and recognition as a Stevens Institute of Technology Scholar. She was Hoboken’s highest-scoring student in the NJ Math League and is a National Merit Scholar. She also earned the AP Scholar with Distinction award, the AP Capstone Diploma, and was recently named a semifinalist for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program—one of the country’s highest honors for high school students.
Madison is a published student researcher whose scholarly work explores the intersection of adolescent health, behavior, and environmental factors. Her article, "The Price of Calm: How Socioeconomic Stressors Shape High School Student Well-Being," published in the Journal of Student Research (JSR), analyzes the correlation between socioeconomic status (SES) and the mental and emotional well-being of high school students, shedding light on how economic and social pressures can impact student health.
In another peer-reviewed piece, "The Impact of Habitual Caffeine Consumption on Working Memory in High School Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study," featured in Vanderbilt’s Young Scientist Journal, Madison examines how regular caffeine intake affects working memory in adolescents. Through these publications, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to academically rigorous inquiry and has contributed meaningful insights to the fields of youth wellness and cognitive science.
In addition to her writing, Madison has served as a research assistant at Stevens Institute of Technology, working with graduate students in biomechanics on a project analyzing data and contributing to a scholarly study.
A student in the Hoboken Public School District since Kindergarten, Madison chose to attend Hoboken High School to take full advantage of its rigorous academics, athletics, extracurriculars, and travel opportunities.
Madison said, “Hoboken High School gave me the chance to grow not just academically, but as a leader, an advocate, and a teammate. I’m grateful for the support of my administrators, teachers, coaches, and peers—and I’m excited to take what I’ve learned here and continue making a difference in the world.”
The Hoboken Public School District commends both Amalia and Madison for their hard work and contributions to the school community. Their accomplishments reflect the excellence and opportunity available at Hoboken High School.
About Hoboken High School
Hoboken High School is a vibrant and academically rigorous public high school serving students in grades 9-12 in Hoboken, New Jersey. The school is committed to fostering an inclusive, well-rounded education, preparing students for both higher education and career success. With a strong emphasis on STEM, humanities, athletics, and extracurricular engagement, Hoboken High School provides students with a dynamic learning environment that encourages innovation, leadership, and community involvement.
For more information about Hoboken High School, visit www.hoboken.k12.nj.us.