For the past 15 years, the New Jersey Community Development Corporation’s Paterson Youth Council has celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life, vision, and commitment to public service and civil rights by recognizing Paterson residents. for their positive influence in the community. This year, Passaic County Technical Vocational Schools junior Joshua Sparkes was one of the recipients of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Recognition Award.

Joshua is a junior in the Academy of Finance at PCTI where he maintains a 4.5 GPA and is ranked 5th in his class out of 817 students. He is a member of several clubs and organizations on campus such as Consumer Bowl, Leaders Emerging Among Peers, Future Business Leaders of America, SkillsUSA, as well as Student Interact, where he participated in the Great Falls Cleanup in Paterson. Joshua is also a competitor in National History Day and President of the History Club. Some of his proudest accomplishments are being named captain of the Winter Track and Field team as a freshman and winning a state championship as a sophomore.

Joshua’s continued academic, athletic, and community achievements have made him the perfect recipient for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Recognition Award. We thank the NJCDC Paterson Youth Council for recognizing one of PCTVS’ own outstanding students and look forward to Joshua’s incredible and prolonged success.