Nakira Poole’s achievement marks a new era for West Side High School's cosmetology program
NEWARK, N.J. – As West Side High School prepares to celebrate its Class of 2026 commencement, one senior is closing her high school career with a remarkable combination of accomplishments.
Nakira Poole, West Side High School’s valedictorian, recently passed the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling licensing examination. She is the fourth student in school history to earn the credential and the first since the opening of the school’s 403 Salon & Spa.
Poole earned her license after completing more than 1,000 hours of classroom instruction and hands-on training in hair care, braiding, nail care, makeup application, and other cosmetology disciplines. She then passed a rigorous two-hour licensing examination, scoring an impressive 96 percent on the 120-question test.
“To graduate as valedictorian while simultaneously earning a professional license is a testament to Nakira’s extraordinary discipline and determination,” said Superintendent León. “She leaves West Side High School with both a college acceptance and a career-ready credential that will serve her for years to come. We are extremely proud of Nakira and look forward to all she will accomplish in the future.”
Poole earned her certification in the midst of a demanding end of her senior year. Within a week of her exam, Poole starred in a school theater production and worked as a makeup artist at the Wicked-themed Fashion Show hosted by the Newark School of Fashion & Design. Earlier this year, she earned recognition as one of the state’s top student braiders, placing third in a SkillsUSA competition.
This fall, Poole will attend Stockton University, where she plans to major in psychology. While pursuing her degree, she intends to continue working in cosmetology.
“I always put my schoolwork first,” Poole said. “But cosmetology is something I love to do, and now I have a foundation for my future. This license gives me a way to support myself while doing something I'm passionate about.”
Poole said earning the license was especially meaningful because it was one of her primary goals throughout high school.
“It means a lot,” she said. “I was nervous waiting for the results. When I found out I passed, I was excited and happy. This was something I had been looking forward to for years.”
Her cosmetology instructor, Nicole Daniels, described Poole as one of the most dedicated students she has taught. Poole has also shown remarkable resilience, maintaining her work ethic even as she was grieving the loss of her older sister last year, Daniels said.
“She’s an absolute joy to have in class,” Daniels said. “She’s extremely dedicated, detail-oriented, and hardworking. No matter what was happening in her life, she came in focused and ready to work. She has accomplished so much, and she deserves every bit of this success.”
Daniels noted that Poole’s accomplishment carries special significance because she is the first student to earn a license since the opening of the 403 Salon & Spa.
“This is a new era for our program,” Daniels said. “Nakira is the first student to achieve this milestone in our new salon, and she has set a tremendous example for the students who will follow her.”
Board of Education President Hasani K. Council praised Poole for embodying the district’s vision of preparing students for both college and career success.
“Nakira’s story demonstrates the power of providing students with meaningful pathways that connect learning to real-world opportunities,” Council said. “She graduates not only as the top-ranked student in her class, but also with a professional credential that opens doors immediately. We congratulate her on this remarkable accomplishment and look forward to seeing all that she achieves in the years ahead.”
“As the first student to earn this credential since the opening of our 403 Salon & Spa, Nakira has helped establish a new standard for what students in our cosmetology program can achieve,” said Principal Akbar Cook. “We are incredibly proud of her and excited to see how she uses her gifts and skills to build a successful future.”
For Poole, the accomplishment is also a message to other students facing challenges.
“No matter what you’re going through or what obstacles you face, you can still reach your goals,” she said. “This achievement shows me what is possible, and I’m excited for what comes next.”