The Essex County Board of Commissioners held a meeting on March 20, 2024, where they celebrated the achievements of local high school basketball star Kamiyah Napier. The meeting began with Commissioner President Carlos Palmaris and Vice President Tashami Cooper acknowledging the presence of their fellow commissioners, although not all were in attendance.
The highlight of the meeting was the recognition of Kamiyah Napier, a standout athlete from East Side High School. She was honored for her remarkable accomplishments in basketball, including becoming the first girl in the school's history to score over 1,000 career points, finishing with a total of 1,307 points. Kamiyah has also been nominated for prestigious awards such as the McDonald's All-American and Philadelphia All-American nominations, and she recently achieved a career-high average of 50 points per game, the highest in the state for the season.
During the presentation, Kamiyah expressed her gratitude for the recognition and reflected on her journey, emphasizing the hard work and sacrifices she made throughout her high school career. Her parents, Allen Bush and Latasha Napier, along with Athletic Director Justin Pitino, spoke about her dedication and the support she received from her family and coaches.
The meeting concluded with the commissioners encouraging Kamiyah to continue her pursuit of excellence, whether in sports or academics, and offered their support for her future endeavors. The event underscored the importance of community recognition for local talent and the role of family and education in fostering success.