Rahway High School JAG

Today, we celebrate a recognition that belongs to an entire community.

Rahway JAG is proud to share that our Specialist, Mr. Leon Bunion, has been named the 2026 JAG New Jersey Specialist of the Year.

While this honor recognizes Mr. Bunion's leadership, it is also a reflection of the incredible students, families, school staff, community partners, employers, mentors, and supporters who have helped make the Rahway JAG program what it is today.

In just two years, our students have earned state and national recognition, served their community, developed as leaders, explored career pathways, and taken advantage of opportunities that are helping shape their futures.

This recognition reinforces what we already know: when young people are given support, opportunity, and someone who believes in them, amazing things can happen.

Thank you to JAG New Jersey, Rahway Public Schools, our partners, and everyone who continues to invest in our students.

Most importantly, thank you to our students. Your growth, leadership, resilience, and success are what this work is all about.

The best is yet to come.

Rahway High School's Leon Bunion Named 2026 JAG New Jersey Specialist of the Year The Rahway Public School District is proud to announce that Rahway High School JAG Specialist Leon Bunion has been named the 2026 Jobs for Americas Graduates N

🏆 Great teams don't happen by chance. Great programs don't either.

We are excited to announce that our JAG Specialist, Mr. Leon Bunion, is teaming up with Willingboro JAG Specialist Mr. Kenny Scott as presenters at EDGE 2026 in Long Beach, California!

🎤 Session:
Coaching By Design: Building Championship-Level JAG Programs Through Performance Systems

Championship-level programs are built by design. They are the result of intentional leadership, meaningful relationships, high expectations, accountability, and systems that consistently develop students into leaders.

Drawing from their experiences as JAG Specialists and championship coaches, Mr. Bunion and Mr. Scott will share practical strategies that have helped their programs create strong cultures, elevate student performance, develop leaders, and produce results both inside and outside the classroom.

Whether you're rebuilding, reloading, or chasing championship-level results, you'll leave with practical strategies to elevate student outcomes, strengthen program performance, and create a culture where excellence becomes the standard. Whether you're a JAG Specialist, educator, administrator, workforce development professional, employer partner, or community leader, this session is designed for anyone committed to helping young people reach their full potential.

📍 Long Beach, California
📅 July 14–16, 2026

For 40 years, JAG has been developing leaders, changing lives, and creating pathways to success. EDGE 2026 is where the next championship season begins.

See you on the field.

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Scholarships do more than help students pay for college.

They send a message.

They tell young people, "We see your hard work. We believe in your future. Keep going."

Congratulations to Winifred, Margarita, and Ashley on being named 2026 Shine Collective Scholars. Each of these young leaders has a unique story, and each has demonstrated the resilience, perseverance, and commitment to growth that this scholarship represents.

Thank you to The Shine Collective for investing in students and helping turn potential into opportunity. The impact of that investment will extend far beyond this moment and far beyond the classroom.

The future is in good hands.

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🌟 Congratulations to the 2026 Shine Collective Scholars!

The Shine Collective Scholarship for JAG New Jersey Graduates was established through the generous support of The Shine Collective to recognize and uplift outstanding JAG NJ participants as they pursue post-secondary education.

This annual scholarship honors students who demonstrate leadership, resilience, perseverance, and a strong commitment to personal and professional growth — values that are at the heart of the JAG NJ experience.

We are proud to recognize this year’s recipients:

🎓 Margarita H. — Plainfield Cohort 1
Attending Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts

🎓 Winifred I. — Rahway High School
Attending Rutgers University

🎓 Ashley J. — Plainfield Cohort 2
Attending Drew University

Whether pursuing a two-year college, four-year college or university, or an accredited trade or technical school, JAG NJ graduates continue to show what is possible when students are supported, prepared, and empowered.

Congratulations to Margarita, Winifred, and Ashley on this well-deserved achievement! ✨

Today, we proudly joined Rahway High School as they became part of the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) Program. Mayor Raymond A. Giacobbe congratulated the students and faculty, saying, “The JAG program is not just an initiative; it’s a powerful movement helping you overcome obstacles, build confidence, and unlock your full potential.”

Special recognition to all the students who lit their candles, marking their commitment to this transformative journey. Mayor Giacobbe emphasized, “You’re not alone on this path. You have mentors, teachers, and a community cheering you on every step of the way.”

Programs like JAG further Rahway’s vision of progressive measures in youth development, education, and community growth. Together, we’re investing in our youth, empowering their future, and creating a Rahway that is strong, inclusive, and forward-thinking.

Thank you to all the dedicated students, faculty, and community leaders who made this possible. Together, we’re empowering the next generation of leaders and innovators right here in Rahway!

🌟 Congratulations to the 2026 Shine Collective Scholars!

The Shine Collective Scholarship for JAG New Jersey Graduates was established through the generous support of The Shine Collective to recognize and uplift outstanding JAG NJ participants as they pursue post-secondary education.

This annual scholarship honors students who demonstrate leadership, resilience, perseverance, and a strong commitment to personal and professional growth — values that are at the heart of the JAG NJ experience.

We are proud to recognize this year’s recipients:

🎓 Margarita H. — Plainfield Cohort 1
Attending Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts

🎓 Winifred I. — Rahway High School
Attending Rutgers University

🎓 Ashley J. — Plainfield Cohort 2
Attending Drew University

Whether pursuing a two-year college, four-year college or university, or an accredited trade or technical school, JAG NJ graduates continue to show what is possible when students are supported, prepared, and empowered.

Congratulations to Margarita, Winifred, and Ashley on this well-deserved achievement! ✨

🏆❤️🖤 SENIOR AWARDS NIGHT ❤️🖤🏆

This week, many of our JAG Leaders walked across the stage to receive awards, scholarships, and recognition for their accomplishments.

But what most people didn't see were the stories behind those awards.

They didn't see the obstacles overcome. The setbacks. The self-doubt. The challenges at home. The moments when giving up would have been easier than pushing forward.

Every student has a story.

Some arrived at Rahway JAG searching for direction. Some needed confidence. Some needed support. Some simply needed someone to believe in them.

What makes these recognitions special is not the certificates, medals, or scholarships.

It's the growth.

It's watching young people discover their potential, find their voice, develop leadership skills, and realize they are capable of far more than they once believed.

Senior Awards Night was not the finish line.

It was proof of what is possible when young people are given opportunities, support, and a community that believes in them.

We are incredibly proud of our JAG Leaders, not because of the awards they received, but because of the people they have become.

The awards recognize what they've accomplished.
Their character, resilience, and growth tell the real story.

And this is only the beginning. ❤️🖤

❤️
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🏅📚❤️🤍 JAG LEADERS MAKING AN IMPACT ❤️🤍📚🏅

Congratulations to Justin Gibson and Jalissa Rayo-Celis on being selected as Rahway High School's 2026 UCIAC Scholar-Athletes!

This prestigious recognition honors student-athletes who excel in academics, leadership, character, and service—qualities that Justin and Jalissa have consistently demonstrated throughout their high school careers.

As members of the Rahway JAG program, they have embraced every opportunity to lead, serve, and grow. Whether representing Rahway at state and national conferences, leading community service initiatives, mentoring their peers, or serving as captains of our Cross Country and Track & Field programs, they have continually set the standard for what it means to be a leader.

Their academic accomplishments are equally impressive, with Justin serving as Rahway High School's Valedictorian and Jalissa serving as Salutatorian for the Class of 2026.

But what makes us most proud is not the titles, awards, or rankings.

It's the people they have become.

They have used their gifts, talents, and leadership to positively impact their school, teammates, peers, and community. They represent the very best of Rahway JAG and what is possible when young people commit themselves to growth, service, and excellence.

Congratulations, Justin and Jalissa! Your JAG family is incredibly proud of you and all that you have accomplished.

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⛳️🏌️‍♂️ Learning. Networking. Growing.

Our Rahway JAG Leaders recently had the opportunity to participate in the 2nd Annual Deloitte Golf Outing, a partnership between Deloitte and JAGNewJersey held at Old Bridge Golf Course at Rose Lambertson

Alongside students from Plainfield High School JAG and Pinnacle Academy JAG, our leaders had the chance to connect and network with Deloitte professionals while learning the fundamentals of golf from the outstanding staff at The Rose and Deloitte volunteers.

Experiences like this are what make JAG so impactful. Success isn't just about what happens in the classroom. It's about exposing students to new environments, helping them build professional networks, developing confidence, and creating opportunities to learn skills that can open doors in college, careers, and life.

We are incredibly grateful to Manny Kwasi Gyamfi and Deloitte, and the entire team at The Rose at Old Bridge Golf Club for investing in our students and providing an unforgettable experience. Your commitment to helping young people grow and succeed is truly appreciated.

Thank you for having us. We are already looking forward to next year! ❤️💼⛳️

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🎓✨ EXCELLENCE TAKES MANY FORMS.

Congratulations to Rahway JAG Leaders Justin Gibson ( #1 Valedictorian), Jalissa Rayo-Celis ( #2 Salutatorian), and Nyasia Wynn ( #5) for earning spots in the Top 10 of the Rahway High School Class of 2026!

While we are incredibly proud of their academic achievements, we are even more proud of the young leaders they have become.

At Rahway JAG, success is not measured by GPA alone. It is measured by growth, leadership, service, resilience, character, and the impact our students have on those around them. Justin, Jalissa, and Nyasia have used their gifts and talents not only to excel in the classroom, but also to strengthen their school, serve their community, and help others along the way.

Their accomplishments are a reminder that when young people are challenged, supported, and given opportunities to lead, amazing things can happen.

Congratulations, Justin, Jalissa, and Nyasia. Thank you for representing Rahway JAG, Rahway High School, and our community with excellence. The future is bright because of leaders like you. ❤️🖤

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