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Newark Arts High School Girl’s Basketball Point Guard Signs to Play for Wagner College in New York

Submitted by RLS Staff

Joined by more than a dozen administrators, former/present coaches, parents, students and friends, 17-year-old Arts High School senior Fredrayah Heyward has confirmed that her basketball talents will be shared with the Wagner College Seahawks to begin the 2019-2020 college basketball season.

Arts High School’s Principal Ricardo Pedro closed-off the school’s atrium on Monday, November 19th, for Fredrayah’s official ‘intent to play’ signing that began at 2 p.m. as he took the opportunity to praise the success of Heyward.

Principal Pedro went on to congratulate the talents that encompass students at the United State’s first school of the visual and performing arts of its kind; Arts High School.

“I am honored to have another student here at Arts High School obtain a scholarship in her intent to play basketball for Wagner College. I am extremely proud of Fredrayah” Principal Pedro said in the opening statement.

According to officials, Heyward, a four-year starter, 5′ 7″ tall point guard knocked down over 1000 points to close her junior year as the Jaguars excelled in the Super Essex Conference of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association American Division.

Heyward’s tenacity off the basketball court earned her excellent academic success while her on the court toughness gained her a First Team All-Conference bid from Super Essex Conference officials.

In a statement released by Arts High School’s Girls Basketball Coach, Ms. Ray-Quell Cotton, Heyward’s basketball skill sets were praised then congratulated.

“Fredrayah encompasses a combination of natural athleticism and hard work. She is going to be a great asset to Wagner because she brings experience and knowledge that will allow her to contribute to the Lady Seahawks of Wagner team immediately” Coach Cotton said.

On the campus of the Staten Island liberal college, The Wagner Seahawks women’s basketball team represents and currently competes in the Division 1 Northeast Conference.

According to the college’s website, Wagner began women’s basketball began competing in 1970. They have won the Northeast Conference title just once, in 1989. That year, they went 22-7 (14-2 in conference play), winning both the regular season and the tournament (66-60 over Robert Morris). The Seahawks have never qualified for a postseason tournament, neither Division I nor WNIT nor WBI. As of the end of the 2015-16 season, the Seahawks have a record of 511-665.

Heyward, a Television Production Major at Arts High, plans temporarily move away from the visual arts craft and focus on Criminal Justice at Wagner.

Newark Public School Sophomore Scores Perfect 850 in Math Section of PARCC

Andrew Milton Science Park - PARCC
Andrew Milton
Science Park High School

Officials recognized a Newark Public Schools student for being one of a few 9th graders in the state to gain a perfect score in Algebra II on a portion of the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers exam.

Andrew Milton, 15, a current 10th-grade student, took the NJ PARCC exam in the 9th grade, however like most students he did not receive his results until the beginning of this school year.

According to officials, during a back to school night session at Newark’s Science Park High School, this past September, one of the teachers informed Andrew’s parents that in the Algebra II, he scored a perfect 850.

However, the real surprise for Andrew’s parent was learning that according to school, Andrew was the only 9th grader, among almost 75,000 students in the entire state of New Jersey to get a perfect score.

Nonetheless, this comes to no surprise to Andrews’s parents who confirmed his strong work ethic.

“I mean this kid puts long dedicated hours towards his school work. We have seen Andrew on countless nights staying up until 2 a.m. completing tasks”, his parents said.

“The oldest of five boys, he has always been an honor roll student and true inspiration since 7th grade. Andrew’s passion is to attend Caltech University and become a physicist”.

Sudden Passing of Newark Little League Coach Motivates Teen to Excel; Signs to Play Baseball in Vermont

Newark Arts High School is celebrating the recent signing of student Justin Velez, 17, to play collegiate baseball for Southern Vermont College.

Joined by parents, sister, Arts High School Principal Ricardo Pedro, Athletic Director Freeland, Coach Silvestri and nearly 50 students who observed him sign to the college that he plans to play the next four year of his college career.

“Even with his dad and I showing a significant amount of support, it still took a village and an entire community to assist in keeping Justin focused and dedicated” Justin’s mother Milly said. “This is a great day for me watching my son continue to do well academically and athletically. I have the opportunity to appreciate what every parent living in Newark wants to experience while raising a son”.

In a statement by Arts High School’s Principal Ricardo Pedro, he acknowledged Justin’s character as being nothing more than a leader.

“I want to thank Justin for being a real gentleman and displaying quality leadership not only on the field but, most importantly around our school building. It has been a pleasure having Justin in our school” Principal Pedro said.

For 5’7″ tall, 160 pound Justin, the emotional signing moment was finally the day he could officially pay respect for a man who he said stays close to his heart.

Born in the Bronx, Velez moved to Newark’s North Ward at a young age when his parent purchased a house then called New Jersey home.

Velez began playing baseball at the age of 7 and fell in love with his extended North Newark Little League baseball family, particularly his coach, Joe.

“Not only did Coach Joe teach me the game but, he also taught all of his players to respect ourselves and have pride in where we live. His words have stayed with me for a long time, and I can’t thank Coach Joe enough for what he has instilled in me”.

Coach Joe Devincintis and his twin brother Coach Vinny managed the North Newark Baseball League (NNBL) in which they were involved in the community for nearly 30 years according to Velez.

In 2016, after a bout with Cancer, Coach Joe transitioned, leaving his legacy in the hearts of hundreds of Newark children including Justin’s.

“I miss coach a lot. There wasn’t a moment this past year while playing that I didn’t think of Coach Joe and all he meant to me” Justin said.

A ceremony is planned for later this month to rename a street located in the area of North 5th Street and 3rd Avenue after Coach Joe according to reports.

Justin is prepared to attend Southern Vermont University after playing in approximately 500 baseball games since the age of 7. He has attended nearly 1,000 practices and about 1000 at bats – not to mention all of the private lessons and his individual time in the cages and on the field.

Located on a mountainside campus overlooking the Green Mountains, Southern Vermont College aspires to be a model of an enlightened educational community: diverse, supportive, environmentally respectful and socially responsible according to the college’s website. Its athletic program is a member of the NCAA Division III and the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC). These affiliations have enabled Southern Vermont College to compete against many of the best teams in New England and New York State the college’s website said.

Justin will receive a $14,000 a year academic scholarship.

“I chose Vermont because it reminded me a lot of the small community that I am used to at Arts High School. The campus is beautiful and has rigorous academics” Justin said.

“Arts High School, under coach Silvestri, has tweaked my purpose for playing in the game and prepared me to play in college. I am thankful for the experience Coach Silvestri has given and taught me”.

Justin has batted .571 in 2014, .462 in 2015, and .500 in 2016 according to school records. A Television Production Major at Arts, Justin will major in Criminal Justice in the fall.

He wants to thank his parents, coaches (Joe, Vinny, Silvestri), The entire Arts High School community, and his baseball family at Arts.

View the story on rlsmedia.com.