YOUTH Meet the Valedictorian!

Not only did Rylie McMillan earn the Valedictorian spot for University High School’s class of 2023, she’s also president of the National Honor Society, a member of both the girl’s volleyball and bowling teams, and most recently, a Posse Scholar.

The Posse Scholarship is a full-tuition grant that focuses on sculpting individual and community leaders. The program allows recipients from across the country to have a “posse” at school to help build that crucial foundation needed to get through college, including peers and mentors.

This is something familiar to McMillian.

“Newark offers mentors and many different connections that other cities don’t have,” says the 18-year-old. “Mayor Baraka came to my school’s career day and explained how ‘It’s not about your net worth, it’s about your network.’”

McMillan also received the largest scholarship award

Name: Rylie McMillian

Age: 18

Hometown: Newark, NJ

School: University High

Year: Class of 2023

College Plans: Centre College, Kentucky, IL offered from the Beta Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority. AKA, the country’s oldest Black sorority, offers mentorship and community service. McMillan’s English teacher—a member of the sorority—recommended she apply. But the decorated student says she almost passed on the opportunity because she was nervous about the interview process. However, when she arrived, she was met with comfort and encouragement, which allowed her to put her best foot forward. Besides excelling in school, McMillan is an active member of her community. With the National Honor Society, she recently handed out eyeglasses and toiletry bags to homeless and women’s shelters. In addition to that, she and her aunt made snack and toiletry bags and handed them out to different shelters in Newark.

When asked if she has any advice for students hoping to achieve some of the same accomplishments she has, she advised, “Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You may feel like people are judging you or that you are not smart enough, but you are smart enough. You are always learning because education never stops. These people are here to help you, so do not be afraid to ask for help.”

McMillan is off to Centre College in Kentucky this Fall with plans to become a Forensic Pathologist.

—Kayla Cole