Union City, New Jersey, held a two-hour ceremony at 516 36th Street to inaugurate its newest public school, Esther Salas Academy. Leaders from every level of government attended the event to honor Salas, who grew up in the city and attended its schools.
The new facility will serve around 827 students in grades 7, 8, and 9. It includes a media center, modern science and technology labs, a hydroponics lab, STEM classrooms, a vocal music room, a dance studio, and a gymnasium.
Principal Michele Beleza-Cowan opened the program by describing Salas as “a proud daughter of Union City.” Senator Andy Kim spoke as well, connecting her strength to a message he once heard from Congressman John Lewis, saying that history is defined by those who step forward. Kim praised Salas for doing exactly that.
- A new $56.8 million school in Union City has been named after U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas, the first Latina federal judge in New Jersey.
- The school will serve 827 students in grades 7–9, with state-of-the-art labs, arts facilities, and a focus on STEM learning.
- Judge Salas, who lost her son Daniel in a 2020 attack at her home, spoke about faith, forgiveness, and the importance of inspiring students.
Career and Family Tragedy
Esther Salas graduated from Union City’s Emerson High School in 1987, later attending Rutgers University and Rutgers Law School. She became the first Latina to serve as a U.S. magistrate judge and later as a federal district court judge in New Jersey.
On July 19, 2020, her family was targeted in a deadly attack. Her son Daniel, 20 years old, was killed, and her husband Mark was critically wounded. The gunman, attorney Den Hollander, was found the next day, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
In the aftermath, New Jersey passed Daniel’s Law. The measure gives judges and public officials the ability to have their home addresses and phone numbers removed from public documents and websites to protect their safety.
Project Funding and Local Leadership
The New Jersey Schools Development Authority managed the construction of the building. CEO Manuel Da Silva explained that the state, city, and school district combined their efforts to secure the full $56.8 million needed.
Board of Education President Ydalia Genao thanked those who helped make the project possible. Superintendent Silvia Abbato said the academy is more than a school, describing it as a doorway to justice and hope. She called it part of an “elite club in generational success.” Abbato also described Union City schools as the “living heartbeat” of the community and pointed out that the district is now considered one of the most successful urban systems in the nation.
Leaders Speak on Salas’ Legacy
Union City Mayor and State Senator Brian Stack, himself a graduate of the city’s schools, explained the decision to name the academy after Judge Salas. He said leaders wanted students to see that persistence and determination can overcome adversity, and he expressed his hope that many of them would recognize qualities of Salas in themselves.
Hudson County Executive Craig Guy spoke about her career milestones, recalling that she was the first Latina to serve both as a magistrate and a district court judge. He also thanked the prosecutors and judges who attended, saying their work for the nation, the state, and the county goes beyond what elected officials can do.
Judge Salas on Faith, Forgiveness, and Strength
When Judge Salas addressed the audience, she spoke about her son Daniel, her family, and the strength she has drawn on since the tragedy in 2020. She explained that she and her husband made the choice to forgive their son’s killer, describing forgiveness as a way to create space for peace, love, and acceptance. She said her faith carried her through the moment when she learned that her son had died.
She often refers to her “Fs”—foundation, faith, and family—as the keys to her resilience. She explained that her mother’s strength and her belief in God prevented her from giving up in the aftermath of Daniel’s death, when she felt she no longer wished to live. Salas expressed humility and gratitude, saying she believed Daniel and her mother were still with her in spirit.
