NILES — Students and teachers came together Friday to thank Jerry Holtgren, the director of Niles New Tech, for his commitment to the project-based learning school. 

State Rep. Brad Paquette, a former New Tech teacher, also attended the event. Paquette delivered a tribute signed by the governor.

“[Holtgren’s] door has always been open and his focus on learners is unparalleled,” Paquette said.

Support from past graduates also poured in during the event. New Tech teacher Maria Culbertson helped to organize the tribute to Holtgren. Maria has been teaching at New Tech for the last six years and is one of among many other educators there who is not from the area, but described that she came to teach at Niles New Tech and has remained there because of Holtgren’s leadership and commitment to students.