Giants star Victor Cruz helps celebrate new Paterson STEAM school

🏈 Victor Cruz grew up in Paterson before becoming an NFL pro and Super Bowl champ

⚙️ He has created a foundation that supports STEAM and STEM learning for kids

🏫 Cruz went to Paterson Catholic, which is the new home of Paterson STEAM High

PATERSON — Retired New York Giants star Victor Cruz was back in his home city this week, helping celebrate a new chapter at his old school.

Paterson STEAM High School has been open for classes since September, after years of it being shuttered.

“I used to walk these very halls when this place was Paterson Catholic High School,” Cruz said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

(U.S. Census, Google Maps)

Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly, D-Bergen also attended Monday’s event, with his own personal connection to the school.

Wimberly was the head football coach at Paterson Catholic High School from 1995 to 2010.

He led the team to seven state championships — including an undefeated season in 2003, with Cruz among his players.

retired NFL Giants pro Victor Cruz, Assemblyman Wimberly at Paterson STEAM school (courtesy Paterson Public Schools)

“Victor Cruz was there to talk about the importance of STEAM and to support the program. This is a great opportunity for PPS students,” Wimberly said, while sharing a few photos to Twitter.

Cruz has always remembered his roots and gave a shout-out to Paterson Catholic after the Giant’s dramatic Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots in 2008.

Victor Cruz mentioned Paterson Catholic after Super Bowl win (NY Giants via Youtube)

The athlete then created the Victor Cruz Foundation, which is “committed to promoting educational and financial literacy programs, college readiness and S.T.E.M initiatives.”

Last fall, he also helped launch a Cruz Scholars program, which offers student fun incentives to do their best in school — such as a winter outing to a New York Knicks game with Cruz.

Paterson STEAM High School (Assemblyman Wimberly via Twitter)

“You don’t have to be a Super Bowl champion to give back to your community,” Cruz said during the ceremony, adding “There are people who work in everyday society who come back and give their time and effort.”

After Monday’s ceremony, it was back to class for the school’s ninth-graders, who took part in four different sessions to help decide on a STEAM pathway.

Students at Paterson STEAM High School (courtesy Paterson Public Schools)

The BrainCo company, one of several educational partners with the school district, led sessions on brain cognition and robotic “neuromaker” hands.

Another partner, Engineering Tomorrow, offered students a chance to race electric vehicles they had built from kits during a freshman seminar in the fall.

(courtesy Paterson Public Schools)

A teacher and the Rutgers University 4-H Youth Development program also ran a session on solar towers, which use the heat of the sun to power turbines.

Cruz is among NJ natives who have moved on after their NFL careers — but there are dozens of Jersey born football players currently active in the league.

NFL pros from New Jersey

There are more than 60 active pros with NJ roots.

More than 10 players who made it to the NFL conference championship games this year have NJ ties — and four active NFL quarterbacks were born in the Garden State.

Some of them may even be on your fantasy football team.

Erin Vogt is a reporter and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach her at erin.vogt@townsquaremedia.com

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