Latest news with #SahliNegassi
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Black Brilliance: Student-Athlete From New Jersey Earns Perfect SAT Score
Sahli Negassi, a 17-year-old student from West Orange, New Jersey earned a perfect 1600 on the SAT exam. He joins the less than 1% of students in the nation to accomplish this near-impossible feat. According to the College Board's 2024 Annual Report, there were 77,320 SAT test-takers in the state of New Jersey. 7,947 of these students were Black. Two percent of these Black students earned a score ranging from 1400-1600. A cross-country and track athlete, Negassi compared taking the SAT to beimg prepared for race day. 'When you're on the line, you've already put in the work,' Negassi told PIX11 NYC News. 'Your body is already as strong as it needs to be. At that point, the race is the easiest part. So I just went into it with that mindset of just trusting myself.' The first time Negassi took the SAT in May 2024 he earned a 1530. He retook the exam in June and earned his 1600. He tried to study every day, despite a rigorous schedule of extracurriculars. He never took an SAT prep class, relying on his AP coursework, Khan Academy, and YouTube videos. Negassi's extracurriculars are a college admissions officer's dream. In addition to running, the student-athlete is also a member of the varsity chess team, president of the math team, plays the cello in the Royal Strings ensemble, spent two seasons on the color guard, and is part of six honor societies including the National Honors Society. He hopes that his perfect score will help him achieve his dream of attending Harvard University and becoming an engineer or a lawyer. 'Give me 10 years," Negassi told Black News. "I'll be out in the world doing something more important than a standardized test.'
Express Tribune
24-02-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
New Jersey student Sahli Negassi earns perfect 1600 SAT score, scholar candidate
Listen to article Sahli Negassi, a 17-year-old student from West Orange High School in New Jersey, has accomplished an extraordinary achievement: a perfect SAT score. This accomplishment places him among a rare group of fewer than 1,000 students across the United States who reach this milestone each year. Throughout his time at West Orange High, Negassi managed to balance his academic responsibilities with leadership roles in two clubs and active participation in two sports. His path to a perfect SAT score began with a near-perfect 1590, but after reflecting on his performance, he retook the test and achieved a flawless 1600. 'I walked into class and thought, 'I can do better,'' Negassi said. Despite already having an impressive score, he decided to challenge himself further and succeeded. His drive and determination earned him a place as a candidate for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, a prestigious recognition for the nation's most outstanding high school seniors. The SAT is a standardised test assessing college readiness in reading, writing, and math. and the average SAT score in the United States is 1050, according to the College Board, with many students taking the test multiple times to improve their scores. Negassi's achievement, however, is remarkable, especially considering that he achieved a 1600 on his second attempt, relying on self-study through free online resources. 'I didn't have a tutor; it was just me and whatever website I could find,' he explained. His dedication to studying was evident, as he often found time to review SAT materials between his track races. Negassi emphasized that his success on the SAT was not about innate intelligence, but about recognizing patterns, managing time effectively, and consistent practice. Oscar Guerrero, the Principal of West Orange High School, expressed admiration for Negassi's ability to excel in so many areas. 'His SAT achievement is impressive, but what stands out even more is his ability to thrive across various activities,' Guerrero said. A native of New York City, Negassi attributes much of his success to his father, who nurtured his love for learning early on by teaching him to read before he entered school. The unwavering support and sacrifices made by his parents have been instrumental in his achievements. During his time at West Orange High, Negassi joined the math team, eventually becoming president, while also leading the cross-country team as captain, where he set a new 5K record. He is also a member of the school's string ensemble, varsity chess team, and serves as president of the National Honor Society. 'Sahli's achievements serve as an inspiration for our students and demonstrate what can be accomplished through perseverance and dedication,' said Superintendent Hayden Moore in a statement. As the college application season approaches, Negassi hopes to be admitted to Harvard University, his top choice, where he plans to study law. Despite his extraordinary achievements, Negassi remains humble and credits his success to the support of his family, teachers, and friends. 'I don't consider myself a prodigy or anything special,' he said. 'This accomplishment is a collective achievement. When I think of my score, I think of my family and the people who helped me along the way.'
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New Jersey teen get perfect score on SATs
NEW JERSEY (PIX11) — Approximately two million students take the SAT every year. Less than one percent achieve a perfect score. West Orange High School senior Sahli Negassi is among those few hundred. More Local News Negassi, who also runs cross country, compared taking the test to competing in a race. 'When you're on the line, you've already put in the the work,' said Negassi. 'Your body is already as strong as it needs to be. At that point, the race is the easiest part. So I just went into it with that mindset of just trusting myself.' Negassi is also a member of six honor societies, plays the cello, and spent two seasons on the color guard. 'Some days, I would come into school at 7 a.m. and leave at 9 p.m.,' said Negassi. He first took the SATs in May and scored 1530. When he took them again in June, he received a perfect score of 1600. 'I'm not totally convinced, to this day, that there isn't an asterisk that I'm missing in, like, white font,' said Negassi. West Orange High School principal Oscar Guerrero only recently learned about Negassi's achievement and decided it deserved celebration. 'I was shocked and proud and amazed, all at the same time,' said Guerrero. 'What I'm most impressed about is just how well-rounded he is…He's so involved in our community and is truly a culture carrier for our school district in giving back and making this place a better place.' Negassi never took a test prep class but said he studied every day if his schedule allowed it. He plans to use his perfect score to secure at seat at Harvard and eventually become an engineer or a lawyer. He wants to give back, noting that his achievements wouldn't be possible without the help of others. 'I got here because my family supported me,' said Negassi. 'I had teachers who challenged me…I think it's crucial to see it as what *we* are capable of accomplishing.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
