5 New Jersey Students Making The Garden State Proud

New Jersey is full of bright, driven young people making a difference in and out of the classroom. That’s why Patch and T-Mobile have teamed up to spotlight students excelling in academics, athletics and community service.

Check out five exceptional New Jersey students making a big impact. And if you know a student who deserves a shoutout, we want to hear about them! Click here to nominate them for a chance to be featured as a Star Student on Patch!

Sahli Negassi (West Orange) — Scoring a perfect 1600 on the SAT is no small feat, but for West Orange High School senior Sahli Negassi, it was the result of years of dedication and self-directed learning. Relying on free resources like Khan Academy and YouTube, along with rigorous AP coursework, Sahli joined the elite group of less than 1% of test-takers who achieve this milestone each year. Beyond academics, he’s excelled in cross country and varsity chess, serves as president of the math team and National Honor Society and plays in the Royal Strings ensemble. His dream? Harvard and a future in law. His advice to others: “Be intentional … Know what you want for yourself, and throw your whole body at it.” Read more here.

Hellen Hurtado (North Bergen) — Hellen Hurtado, a student at Bergen Community College, is turning her childhood dream into reality as she pursues a career in aviation. Growing up in Colombia, Hellen was inspired by her father’s job at an airport and developed a passion for flying. Recently selected to attend the Women in Aviation International Conference, Hellen had the opportunity to fly a plane for the first time. She’s the only student from Bergen Community College to be chosen for this incredible opportunity. As a proud Colombian woman, Hellen is determined to make her mark in the aviation world, aiming to become a first officer for a major U.S. airline within the next five to 10 years. With support from the NJ STARS program and the aviation department at Bergen, she’s soaring toward her goals. Read more here.

Dhruv Sethi (Woodbridge) — Dhruv Sethi, a sophomore at Middlesex College, earned national recognition with the Terry O’Banion Student Technology Award for his exceptional work in software development. With a perfect 4.0 GPA, Sethi has not only excelled academically but has also made significant contributions to his college community, serving as president of the Computer Science club and helping it grow into the largest club on campus. Fluent in three languages, he has worked on cutting-edge projects, including an award-winning inflatable robot designed for search-and-rescue operations. Sethi plans to transfer to a top-tier university and pursue a career in technology, inspired by the opportunities and support he received at Middlesex College. Read more here.

Noah Meier (Princeton) — Princeton High School sophomore Noah Meier is a standout student with a passion for STEM and helping others. Recently named to the 2024-25 Governor's STEM Scholars program, he was selected from over 1,000 applicants across the state. Noah has already made an impact through his research into carbon sequestration in plants and possible solutions to improve carbon emissions. Outside the classroom, he serves as an assistant coach for the Princeton Junior Football League, teaching young athletes valuable skills and teamwork. With interests in languages and global health, Noah aims to drive positive change through climate initiatives and disease control in the future. Read more here.

Nyah McKinney (West Orange) — Nyah McKinney is a dedicated student-athlete and leader at West Orange High School, excelling both on the field and in her academics. A senior captain for the lacrosse team, she helped lead her team to historic victories, including securing their first-ever Division Championship. Beyond lacrosse, Nyah has also been a dedicated cheerleader and is actively involved in school leadership, serving as Class President and Vice President of the National Honor Society. Her commitment to academics is equally impressive, as she is co-editor of The Pioneer and participates in multiple honor societies and clubs. Nyah was selected to represent West Orange High School at the 2025 National Girls & Women in Sports Day, an honor that reflects her exceptional athleticism and leadership. She plans to attend Howard University, study Biology, and pursue a career as a Physician Assistant. Nyah’s advice to younger athletes: “Ignore the noise and stay true to yourself.” Read more here.

These exceptional students are just a glimpse of the incredible talent in New Jersey. The future is certainly looking bright! If you know a Star Student making an impact in your community, nominate them today to be featured on Patch!