essex county commissioners honor young leaders for 21st annual “essex county celebrates youth”

(Newark, NJ) – On Wednesday, April 23, the Essex County Board of County Commissioners held its 21st annual “Essex County Celebrates Youth” event. It is held each year to acknowledge outstanding young people throughout the County for their accomplishments and hard work in academics, athleticism, community organizing, and more.

This year, the Board recognized Reynamia Soto of Newark, Sahli Negassi of West Orange, Kyley Gary-Grayson of West Orange, and the Irvington High School Freshman Boys Basketball Team.

“Tonight, we stand in proud support of our honorees who have done so much already at such a young age. Their hard work and dedication to lifting up those around them give all of us hope for the future,” said Commissioner President Carlos M. Pomares. “When we recognize our young people, they know they have achieved something real, and that we believe in and are invested in them. Congratulations to all our honorees!”

During the occasion, Pastor John Rogers of First Congregational Church in Montclair delivered opening and closing prayers, Arts High School junior Dahlia Glover sang the national anthem and an additional musical selection, and youth musicians from the NJ Performing Arts Center provided prelude and postlude jazz performances – Ellah Brown on guitar, Seniar Raines on bass, and Jalin Shiver on alto saxophone. Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) provided certificates of accomplishment for the honorees. The event was held at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Justice Building in Newark.

See more pictures of the event here: Link

Honorees:

Reynamia Soto, presented by Commissioner President Carlos Pomares and sponsored by Commissioner Robert Mercado, is an incredibly hard working and intelligent student, with straight As in the honor and high honor rolls. Every year since kindergarten she has been recognized as one of the best students at the Abundant Life Academy in Nutley, New Jersey. She is caring and considerate towards her classmates and school, having been recognized for her kindness to others every year since kindergarten, and voted by her peers to be Class Representative. She is also the captain of the volleyball team. Reyna is about to embark on brand new impressive chapter in her academic career. In April 2025, she is starting acting school at the New Jersey School of Dramatic Arts in Montclair, New Jersey. In the fall of 2025, she will be attending the prestigious Newark Academy in Livingston, New Jersey. Reyna’s dedication to her community is remarkable, with a long history of volunteerism and giving back with local non-profits. Her dream to become an FBI Special Agent like her mother reflects her ambition to make the world a better place and build on the work of those that came before her. Reyna is a person of good character, friendly, a quick learner, one who shows drive and initiative, as well as a person who radiates honesty and integrity. She is a well-rounded and compelling individual with an incredibly bright future ahead of her, and is a leader in her own right.

Sahli Negassi, presented by Commissioner Patricia Sebold, is a 17-year-old student at West Orange High School (WOHS). He was born to an Eritrean family in Manhattan, who moved to West Orange when he was one year old. Sahli is the youngest of four siblings. Before entering kindergarten, his father taught him to read and write. Similarly, he thanks his siblings for pushing him and each other throughout school. His proudest memory is spelling ‘Connecticut’ for his mother. Sahli is a long-time runner, having completed 14 seasons of cross-country and track & field. In his senior year of high school, he served as cross-country captain. In addition to running, he served two seasons with the WOHS color guard and state champion marching band. Sahli was named president of the WOHS math team and chapter president of the National Honor Society. He is also a member of the Royal Strings ensemble, having played for 8 years and taught cello for 2 years at a private music studio. He is a varsity chess player and a member of 6 honor societies. Throughout high school he has taken 9 AP courses. In June 2024, Sahli scored a full 1600 on the SAT. He credits the internet for allowing him to study frequently and for free. Since then, he has helped tutor students for the SAT under non-profit and school-centered organizations. In his spare time, Sahli tries to read, write poetry, and play piano. His favorite book is Les Misérables by Victor Hugo, his favorite poem is “Obligations 2” by Layli Long Soldier, and his favorite song is “TODAY” by Q. Crediting his music theory classes, he spends much of his free time sketching songs for an eventual original album. Sahli enjoys going for long runs or hikes with friends. Given a choice of superpower, Sahli would choose super-regeneration to allow him to sweat less and run for longer. He says he writes one haiku every day in his journal to process his thoughts and stay alert.

Kyley Gary-Grayson, presented by Commissioner Romaine Sermons, a senior at West Orange High School, has made an indelible mark on the basketball court and in her community. Her relentless dedication, leadership, and passion for the game have defined her high school experience, culminating in a well-earned full athletic scholarship to Coppin State University, a distinguished HBCU in Maryland. As she prepares for this next chapter, she reflects on a journey filled with hard work, perseverance, and a deep love for the sport. A standout athlete, Kyley has consistently demonstrated excellence in basketball. She has earned numerous accolades, including being named a First Team All-Conference player for two consecutive years and receiving multiple tournament MVP awards, such as the Hurban Legends Tournament and She Hoops Too Tournament. Her talent has even been recognized on an international stage—she was named Tournament MVP for the Americas Team in Spain, a testament to her ability to shine among top-tier competitors. Additionally, she was selected to compete in prestigious all-star events like the NJBCA North/South Senior All-Star Classic and the Twenty Rising Stars Classic, further solidifying her status as one of the best in her class. Kyley’s on-court success is backed by impressive career stats: 1,359 points, 454 rebounds, 261 assists, 18 blocks, and 278 steals. As the captain of her varsity team, she has not only led through her performance but has also fostered a culture of unity, resilience, and accountability among her teammates. She believes true success is built on collaboration, trust, and mutual respect—principles she upholds in every aspect of her game. Beyond playing, Kyley has developed a deep understanding of basketball from multiple perspectives. Her experience as a scorekeeper and statistician has enhanced her ability to analyze performances, strategize effectively, and contribute to her team’s overall success. These skills will undoubtedly benefit her as she transitions to collegiate-level competition. Off the court, Kyley is equally passionate about giving back. She has dedicated countless hours to mentoring young athletes, designing personalized training sessions to help them develop their skills and confidence. This commitment to youth development speaks to her character—one defined by leadership, generosity, and a desire to uplift others. As she embarks on her journey at Coppin State, Kyley is eager to embrace new challenges, refine her game, and make a lasting impact both in athletics and in her community. With her strong work ethic, leadership abilities, and unwavering determination, there is no doubt that she will continue to excel at the next level—both as an athlete and as a role model.

The Irvington High School Freshman Boys Basketball Team, presented by Commissioner A’Dorian Murray-Thomas, captured the Essex County Freshman Tournament championship on Saturday, February 22, defeating Newark Collegiate Academy 65-55 in the title game at Bloomfield High School. The Freshman Boys Basketball Team was led by standout performances from Christian St. Claire, Joshua Anderson, Jordan Goodridge, Elijah Barton, Alsamir Payne, Chris Sylvain and Nolen Lyle. Their hard work, dedication and teamwork were on full display throughout the tournament, culminating in this well-earned championship victory. The team is led by Head Coach Nhemie Theodore, now in his seventh season in the role, and Assistant Coach Matthew Anthony. Coach Theodore’s philosophy is centered on preparing students for life beyond the game, instilling in them values of perseverance, hard work, and accountability. The Freshman Boys Basketball Team roster includes Chris Sylvain, Jordan Goodridge, Elijah Barton, Jayden Edwards, Jayden Anderson, Josh Anderson, Nolen Lyle, Jabron Johnson, Al-Samir Payne, Christian St. Claire, Quanel Brown, Zavonta Williams, Paul Dorcelian, and Marvin Jean.