Individual Student Accomplishments – 2017

In this article, you will read about students, recipients of academic, athletic and other honors and scholarships that have allowed them to begin their college journey.

Kim Boerrigter, Malcolm X Shabazz

Kim Boerrigter, Malcolm X Shabazz

Kim Boerrigter said she must be the change she wants to see, consequently she says she “strives to learn new things not only because I love learning, but because it is impossible to be a resilient and compassionate person without knowing how to embrace humanity.” Kim is Valedictorian, having graduated #1 in her class at Malcolm X Shabazz High Schoool. In September, she will be attending Harvard University on a full scholarship.

Kim has a deep interest in forensic pathology, which holds a special place in her heart. She said her quest for knowledge regarding anything related to forensics prompted her to engage in a supplementary research project concerning enzyme activity; by advancing her understanding of life. The research project was accepted into the American Geophysical Union’s fall 2016 Conference, which she attended.

Kim has conducted a number of scientific research projects; including serving as Captain of the Aquatic Biogeochemistry Team, Lead Researcher of the Pocono Environmental Education Center and Lead Presenter at the American Geophysical Union Conference. In addition, she has served as a Cooperman College Scholar at The College of New Jersey and she serves as a volunteer at Saint James Church in Newark. Athletically, Karen also found time to serve as Varsity Captain of Track & Field and Cross Country, in addition to serving as a Counselor at Malcolm X Shabazz Girls’ Sports Camp.

Kim said, “By advancing my understanding of life on the microscale, I am better equipped to understand life on the macroscale.”

Left to Right:  Kayla Muldrow, Lamont Rouse, Amanda Fabri-Oliveira, Justin Velez
Left to Right: Kayla Muldrow, Lamont Rouse, Amanda Fabri-Oliveira, Justin Velez

Partial Scholarships — Arts High School

  • Kayla Muldrow — Cooper Union
  • Amanda Fabri-Oliveira — Rutgers Newark
  • Lamont Rouse —Caldwell College
  • Justin Velez — Southern Vermont
Left to Right: Alexis Mathieson, Amirah Miller, Renee Onque, Anthony Jackson
Left to Right: Alexis Mathieson, Amirah Miller, Renee Onque, Anthony Jackson

Full Scholarships — Bard High School Early College

“I am thrilled, as Principal of Bard High School Early College - Newark, to have four students continuing on for their B.A. degrees with full scholarships. These scholarships show what our students in Newark can attain, with strong academic performance and careful college planning.” - Dr. John Weinstein, Principal

  • Alexis Mathieson — Rutgers University Newark- Rutgers Future Scholar(ship) majoring in Criminal Justice and or political science
  • Amirah Miller — Bard College majoring in Biochemistry
  • Renee Onque received a full scholarship from Lincoln University. Renee Onque will be majoring in Mass Communications with a minor in English. She hopes to become a photojournalist, however, her career choice has not been finalized.
  • Anthony Jackson — Bard College, majoring in Dance 
Newark Public Schools recently honored Kishona McCray at the May Board Meeting.  Kishona, a member of the Blue Devils Girl’s Track and Field Team, is a graduating senior at Central High School, where she has excelled and is recognized as an extraordinary athlete.
Newark Public Schools recently honored Kishona McCray at the May Board Meeting. Kishona, a member of the Blue Devils Girl’s Track and Field Team, is a graduating senior at Central High School, where she has excelled and is recognized as an extraordinary athlete.

Kishona McCray, Central High School

Kishona, a member of the Blue Devils Girl’s Track and Field Team, is a graduating senior at Central High School, where she has excelled and is recognized as an extraordinary athlete.

This year, Kishona won the Newark Public Schools Championship in the 100 meters, 200 meters, 100 hurdles, and 400 hurdles. In addition, she won the Essex County Championships in the 100 meters, 200 meters, and 100 hurdles, and is the first athlete to achieve that triple win. Kishona also won the Super Essex Conference (SEC) Championship – Colonial Division in the 100 meters, 200 meters, 100 hurdles, and 400 hurdles;

In addition, Kishona was the NJSIAA Meet of Champions winner in the 100 hurdles and the first female athlete from Newark to win the NJSIAA Meet of Champions in the 100 hurdles. The last time Newark earned this award was in 1991.

Kishona also won the NJSIAA Group II State Championship in the 100 hurdles and 400 hurdles; in addition to the NJSIAA North II Group II State Championship in the 100 meters, 200 meters, 100 hurdles, and 400 hurdles;

Finally, Kishona has earned five NJSIAA Group II State titles, 8 Group II State titles, 11 Essex County titles, 17 Super Essex Conference titles, and 19 NPS Individual titles, 11 Central High School records, and is undefeated in 2016 in the 100 hurdles in the State of New Jersey;

Kishona McCray was ranked #1 in New Jersey in the 100 hurdles and in the Top 20 in the United States; and she was ranked #2 in New Jersey in the 400 hurdles and #9 in the United States, as well. Kishona will attend Northern Illinois University in the fall on a full athletic scholarship.

Lucia Couto says academic excellence was stressed every day in her home growing up in Newark and attending First Avenue School.  Lucia is the Valedictorian of her at Arts High School and will attend Harvard University in the fall on a full scholarship where she will study Medical Physics.
Lucia Couto says academic excellence was stressed every day in her home growing up in Newark and attending First Avenue School. Lucia is the Valedictorian of her at Arts High School and will attend Harvard University in the fall on a full scholarship where she will study Medical Physics.

Lucia Couto, Arts High School

Lucia Couto says academic excellence was stressed every day in her home growing up in Newark and attending First Avenue School. Neither Lucia’s mother nor father had an opportunity to attend college and wanted to make sure their children attended college, and had an opportunity to excel, in a way that escaped them.  Lucia’s sisters, a teacher at Hawkins Street School and a registered nurse, are putting their support behind her as she begins to plan for her college years at Harvard University, where she has received a full scholarship. Lucia is the Valedictorian of her class at Arts High School. She is a leader and a standout in her focus area of dance. In addition, she is an athlete, a peer leader, and a member of the National Honor Society and Pathways to College. According to her principal, Mr. Pedro, you will find Lucia at the head of almost any activity or organization.

Lucia’s focus at Arts High School is dance. She loves singing and dancing; primarily Modern, West African, Afro Cuban, Ballroom and some Ballet.  She said attending Arts has provided an extraordinary opportunity for access to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, which she loves!

Lucia said, “I don’t believe in excuses, which is why I take advantage of opportunities afforded to me.” She continued “one of my greatest passions is to reach back and not be afraid to dream and to follow my dreams, regardless of where they come from. Don’t let what people’s opinions about where you come from make you think in a certain way. I love Newark and I am proud to say I live here. I will prove to anyone that I deserve to be at Harvard as much as anyone else.  A lot of good things and people come from Newark,” Lucia added.

Lucia has always been fascinated by Albert Einstein and will major in Medical Physics at Harvard.

Newark Public School Student and Hockey in New Jersey participant Laura Lima of Newark (Science Park '17) has been selected as one of four recipients for the 2017 NHL/Thurgood Marshall College Fund academic scholarship!
Newark Public School Student and Hockey in New Jersey participant Laura Lima of Newark (Science Park '17) has been selected as one of four recipients for the 2017 NHL/Thurgood Marshall College Fund academic scholarship!

Laura Lima, Science Park High School

We are excited to share the news that Newark Public School Student and Hockey in New Jersey participant Laura Lima of Newark (Science Park '17) has been selected as one of four recipients for the 2017 NHL/Thurgood Marshall College Fund academic scholarship!

The NHL/Thurgood Marshall College Fund academic scholarship is awarded to students who are active in a National Hockey League Hockey Is For Everyone youth hockey organization, with goals of pursuing higher education in a variety of majors and focuses. Since 2012, the initiative has awarded scholarships to 15 exceptional high school students, including 2015 recipient and HNJ alumni, Austin Verissimo, who now attends Duke University.

Laura has been a member of Hockey in New Jersey since 2011. She has played on both our boys and girls teams at East Side High School (Newark) and for Hockey in New Jersey, while serving as a model student/athlete. This coming fall she will be attending Rowan University to study criminal justice and psychology. She will also continue playing hockey on their girls club team.