BRANCHBURG TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Somerset County) — Middle and high school students from Somerset and Hunterdon counties were recognized for their achievements at the 35th Annual Paul Robeson Youth Achievement Awards, held April 20 at Raritan Valley Community College.
About 75 students were nominated by educators, with 20 selected for honors by a committee of college faculty and staff. The event drew about 270 attendees and was hosted by RVCC’s Paul Robeson Institute for Ethics, Leadership and Social Justice.
The awards recognize excellence in scholarship, the arts, community service and athletics, along with “Renaissance Awards” for students who excel across multiple disciplines. The program is named for Paul Robeson, a Somerville native and Rutgers University graduate known for his accomplishments as an artist, athlete and activist.
The evening included a keynote address from Ka’Sheer Cassett, an RVCC and Howard University graduate who now works at Sanofi leading clinical trial studies.
Organizers said the program was created in partnership with the National Council of Negro Women to honor student achievement and promote leadership and service.
Middle school honorees included Zoe-Renee Elliott of Franklin Middle School at Hamilton Street Campus and Daniel Francis of Hillsborough Middle School for scholarship; Makhi Treadwell of Hillsborough Middle School and Remee Jackson of J.P. Case Middle School for athletics; Kwame Howell of J.P. Case Middle School and Vanessa Anim-Wiafe of Franklin Middle School at Hamilton Street Campus for community service; and Hayleigh Docsol of Franklin Middle School at Sampson G. Smith Campus and Micayla Moore of North Plainfield Middle School for the arts.
High school honorees included Bellarose Doman of Somerville High School and Juneabea Horsnall of South Hunterdon Regional High School for scholarship; Jurell Jones of Immaculata High School and Pamela Lamptey of Somerville High School for athletics; Skylar Haynes of Hillsborough High School and Kiara Jones of Immaculata High School for community service; and McKayla Price of Franklin High School and Sierra Martin of Hunterdon Central Regional High School for the arts.
Special awards were presented to Embree Campi of Readington Middle School and Vanessa Exil of Somerville High School, recipients of the Evelyn S. Field Visionary Award, and Shayden Jestine of J.P. Case Middle School and Ryann Jefferson of Immaculata High School, recipients of the Renaissance Award.
Officials said the annual program continues to highlight student achievement and uphold Robeson’s legacy of excellence, leadership and service.
