WEST ORANGE, NJ — After many discussions with students, faculty and administration at West Orange High School, the WOHS Class of 2022 will elect their top two choices for “Homecoming Royalty,” rather than electing a king and queen.
WOHS is making the move to a gender-neutral, nonbinary selection be more inclusive of the diverse student body, allowing all students to participate while appreciating and respecting differences according to gender. There will be special-needs seniors recognized as well.
The six nominees were selected by WOHS staff for having the respect of their peers, exhibiting outstanding character, participating in school life with pride and unification, and demonstrating scholarship, leadership and fellowship.
Voting was held the first week of October and the winners will be announced at the Oct. 15 home football game against Montclair beginning at 7 p.m.
The six nominees are as follows:
Amina Anekwe
Anekwe loves the arts, language and travel. She is a member of Glee and Jubilee Choir, the Drama Club, and the Thespian Society. She serves as a teen ambassador of the #EndPeriodPoverty with GrassROOTS Community Foundation and works to end the stigma around periods.
Anekwe is fluent in Spanish and an active member of the Spanish Club. This summer, she co-directed a play at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting and participated in Juilliard’s Summer Program for the performing arts.
In her free time, Anekwe binges on television shows, ranging from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” to “Money Heist,” and from “The Vampire Diaries” and “Outer Banks” to Korean dramas such as “Vincenzo” and “Crash Landing on You.” She is extremely grateful for this nomination for Homecoming Royalty and promises to make all her peers proud.
Kiley Capstraw
Capstraw is a stellar student who maintains an “A” average pursuing a rigorous course load while excelling as an elite athlete. Her leadership abilities extend beyond the classroom and athletic court/field.
She is a member of the National Honor Society, managing editor of The Pioneer newspaper, a Mountaineer Mentor, Teen PEP educator, Daughters of Israel volunteer, and volunteer for the New Jersey Belles.
Athletically, she has been a three-year captain of the girls varsity basketball team. Her 2021 honors include: NJ.com SEC Conference Player of the Year, D1 Media Pro Girls Basketball Player of the Year, Men of Essex Player of the Year, Sideline Chatter SEC Player of the Year, Second Team All-State, Multiple Conference Player of the Week, and she joined the elite 1,000th Point Club. She also earned First Team All-SEC from 2018 to 2021, and Player of the Month in December 2019. She was a key contributor to the 2019 Essex County Girls Basketball Championship and the 2018 Essex County Girls Soccer Championship. Other soccer accolades for her team include a Group 4 Sectional Championship win, and a 2018 final ranking of No. 4 in the state and No. 18 in the country. She received Third Team All-SEC in 2018 and 2019 honorable mention.
Capstraw’s outside interests include exploring new places, expanding her food palate, trips down the shore, listening to music and hanging with her friends. She is looking forward to continuing her academic and athletic career at Yale University as a member of the women’s basketball team.
Justyn Gonzalez
Gonzalez is an outstanding student, plays varsity baseball and performs in the drumline for the Marching Mountaineers. He has worked at his stepfather’s restaurant for the past nine years. He is outgoing and easy to talk to. He also loves to make people smile and feel comfortable. He prides himself on his Jordans and sense of style.
Ayush Narain
Narain has participated in several clubs and activities at WOHS. He is the drum major for the WOHS Marching Mountaineers and president of Tri-M Music Honors Society and SkillsUSA.
He is an officer of the Science Olympiad, as well as an active member of the National Honor Society and the Escriptus, Rho Kappa and Mu Alpha Theta honor societies.
Outside of school, he spends his free time in various orchestras, including the New Jersey Youth Symphony and New Jersey Regions and All-State Orchestras, as well as community organizations, such as Our Green West Orange.
Devin Wilkes
Devin Wilkes is senior class president and a co-editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, The Pioneer. She also contributes her time as a Mountaineer Mentor, manager of the softball team, and member of the National Honor Society, as well as Escriptus and Rho Kappa honor societies.
Outside of school, she volunteers with Jack and Jill of America Inc. As an aspiring journalist, she is participating in an independent study in newspaper journalism and plans on majoring in journalism in college.
Dylan Wilkes
Dylan Wilkes is the WOHS senior class vice president. She is a Mountaineer Mentor and Teen PEP member. She is on the varsity girls lacrosse team and is a three-year captain. She holds the school record for the most goals scored. Dylan Wilkes is also the sports editor for the 2022 yearbook.
She has recently verbally committed to Delaware State University to continue her lacrosse and academic pursuits. After high school, she wants to major in kinesiology and become an athletic trainer/physical therapist. She would like the senior class to know that she wants to make sure they have the best senior year possible and not to be afraid to give their input and ideas.
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