Newburgh - North Junior High School 8th grader Sema’J Reed was born with a love of sports, particularly basketball, according to his mother Jacqie Reed. "He’s a real good kid. He loves sports. Basketball is his heart though," explains the elder Reed.
Sema’J recently earned himself a spot at one of the most prestigious all boy preparatory school in the northeast, The Haverford School in Haverford, Pennsylvania, based on his athletic ability and scholastic achievements as a high honor student while attending North Junior High School.
According to Sema’J, the admissions process was nearly four months long and involved a series of interviews, trailing current students for a day, and completing various assignments and essays. In addition, a one-on-one interview was done with both the potential student and the parent. "They hold you to the highest level of excellence every single day," said his mother Jacqie.
Born in Montgomery, Alabama, Sema’J attended Tender Care Daycare at just six weeks old until he was three years old then the family relocated to Newburgh. After moving to Newburgh at a young age, Sema’J attended GAMS Tech Magnet School and then went on to North Junior High. Sema’J’s mother, who is a product of the NECSD herself, is retired from the United States Army and now a substitute teacher for the district. Jacqie said that much of her son’s success can be attributed to his teachers over the years and especially the North Junior High School and Gidney Avenue School families. "They have all carried him," said Jacqie Reed. "There are still teachers that care." Sema’J has taken several high-school level classes and has maintained his standing as an honor student over the years. "All of my children have excelled since we moved here," said Jacqie. Reed also has two daughters that are college graduates.
Reed, a single parent, said that there were times over the last ten years when life wasn’t as happy and easy. "It was hard. I did a lot of sacrificing, but it’s possible," she explained. At times she had to work more than one job in order to provide for her family, but she always put her children first and now years later she is seeing the fruits of her labor. In addition, the elder Reed said that in her home her children knew growing up that books always came before basketball and other extra curricular activities. "They all know, and have always known, that in my home …the books come first," said Reed.
While living in Newburgh, Sema’J has always been active both in and out of school. "He has always been involved in something," she explains. "He never had time to get into trouble." Sema’J and Jacqie said that looking back most of their weekends were spent on the road and in hotels traveling as he played basketball for local AAU teams such as the Newburgh Zion Lions and the Pennsylvania-based Peacemakers. Both teams are top teams in their area. Sema’J has also been active with other originations in Newburgh such as the Boys and Girls Club and Hoops Express. In 2003, he played football for the New Windsor Eagles and was part of the team that won the Division 1 Championship at West Point. Most recently, he played Junior Varsity football and basketball for Newburgh Free Academy.
Now as the mother and son pack up their belongings to move from Newburgh to their new home in Pennsylvania, Reed said she hopes that her son can be an example for other students in the NECSD. "There are good students that come out of the NECSD who go on to achieve great things. My son is a living example of that," said Reed. She explained that even with other people’s children she realizes the value of having a good education before sports. "I will be all over you when it comes to education," Reed explained. Reed said she’s tired of picking up the newspapers and reading the stories about what is happening on the streets of Newburgh. She feels that with the proper support at home and from their teachers along with the NECSD Board of Education the potential for the children of Newburgh is at their fingertips. "I’m sick of seeing some of these kids fall by the wayside," she explains.
Jackie said that she excited for her son and for his future down at Haverford. "Failure is not an option," said the elder Reed.
