National Signing Day 2019

Nine Newark Seniors Amass More Than $1.3 million in Scholarships on National Signing Day

More Full Athletic Scholarships Expected


[NEWARK, NJ] Nine Newark Public School student athletes received full college scholarships on Wednesday, National Signing Day. A total of eight football players from Malcolm X Shabazz, Barringer and West Side High Schools memorialized their commitment to colleges to play football. One student from Barringer High School signed to run track and field.

Superintendent Roger León said, “This is a proud moment for me as the Superintendent. The students identified today are just the beginning recipients of athletic scholarships and scholarships overall, that Newark Public Schools graduating seniors will receive.”

The Superintendent continued, “These students are on track to complete their studies, graduate, and participate in college sports with a full scholarship. I have every confidence that each of these young men will excel in school and in sports and make Newark very proud of them.”

The Superintendent visited the three high schools where the signings occurred, starting with Malcolm X Shabazz where students Byron Whitehead and Khaleem Lawson signed to attend Highlands University in New Mexico; Marquis Concepcion will attend American International College in Massachusetts, and Michael Bright, Jr. will attend Long Island University/Post.
The second group of students signing yesterday were West Side students Darius Gooden who will be attending Rutgers University in New Brunswick and Prince Okituama who will attend Kent State University in Ohio.

The third group of students signing yesterday from Barringer High School were Zamar Wise who will attend Rutgers University in New Brunswick and Angel Carrion, who will attend Washburn University in Kansas. The third student from Barringer is Fiyin Amori, who will attend Monmouth University with a full track and field scholarship.

Superintendent León was joined at each school by family members of the athletes, Principals, administrators, teachers, underclassmen football players, track and field players, students, coaches and athletic directors. In closing, Superintendent León said, “Our athletes, our seniors are on the right track to greatness.”