Life After High School: Montclair Teens Can Find Support At Free Event

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

“What do I want to be when I grow up?” used to be the main question that teens asked themselves. But today, as teens grapple with an unprecedented level of stress and uncertainty, more of them are asking questions like: Can I stay true to my passion if it will not make me a lot of money? How do I even begin to know what my passion is? Will the job I’m interested in be around much longer? What if I make the wrong choices?

The Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence (MFEE) is bringing back its award-winning mini-conference, Life After High School, for a new generation of Montclair students. On Saturday, Feb. 24 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., teens and their caregivers will gather at Montclair High School’s George Inness Annex for a free, one-of-a-kind opportunity to connect and learn. Eighth and 12th graders are invited to participate in workshops led by local community members and alumni, who draw from their own life experiences – and unconventional journeys - to provide inspiration, support and advice for this turbulent and exciting time in their lives.

Unlike a traditional college or job fair, Life After High School looks to leverage Montclair’s amazing community members to share “wisdom nuggets” or small takeaways that will inspire adolescents through high school and beyond. The event kicks off with a special opening and keynote from sports journalist, Ariel Helwani, who in addition to hosting his own YouTube sportschannel, is an on-air correspondent for Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. There will be over 10 workshops on topics such as how to lean into your interests, how relationships can guide you through tough times, how to put yourself out there when you don’t think you can, how to harness your superpowers (like ADHD) to lead you to success, and being okay with uncertainty.

Each workshop will be co-facilitated by an MHS student, and many workshops are hosted by MHS alumni who are excited to come back to share their stories.

MHS Alumni Zane Keys of Keycuts and Brandon Rogers of Wyanoke Builders are just a few of the many alums who look forward to passing along some advice and encouragement to young Mounties.

“Fostering a connection between our alums and our teens in this special way is a win-win,” says MHS Director of Guidance Sophia Kenny. “MHS is thrilled to be partnering with MFEE on this event again. Listening to cool people talk candidly about their ups and downs and unexpected opportunities really does hammer home that there is no one path after high school; that the journey really is as important as the destination."

Montclair High School senior Gbemisola Adeniyi is one of many teens who have helped shape the conference and shared what she hopes to take away from the event. “I’m learning to embrace change, but I’m not all the way there. I’d love to get some reassurance that if I keep trusting my instincts and trying new things, I will end up where I am supposed to end up.”

This conference isn’t just for teens! Caregivers experience a separate track of workshops that address supporting the social and emotional health of teens...and of the grown-ups who care for them. Parenting a teen is a high-wire act of being engaged - but not annoying! Being supportive - but not taking over! Being present - but being ignored! All against a countdown clock ticking away until high school graduation. The workshops designed for today’s caregivers will leave them feeling refreshed and inspired.

The MFEE previously hosted two other Life After High School conferences in 2017 and 2020. In 2018 MFEE received an award from the New Jersey Education Foundation Partnership for Outstanding Education Foundation Program for Life After High School.

Registration is free, but pre-registration is required. Donations and sponsorships are welcome, as they help MFEE make the event free for all. Visit mfee.org.

“I am continually inspired by Montclair’s teens. Although they have grown up in the midst of a global pandemic and with so much change and uncertainty, they are already asking important questions about our world, life, and their futures. More than ever, with Life After High School, we want to encourage them - and reassure them - that no matter what journey they choose, they are on the right path,” says MFEE Executive Director Masiel Rodriquez-Vars. “We also want to give teen parents much-needed support and connection to address the social/emotional and mental health needs of our kids. They are not alone.”

The Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence (MFEE), Montclair’s local education fund, is an independent nonprofit that raises private dollars to engage and empower students, teachers and supporters of public education. MFEE drives innovation and collaborates with the Montclair community to create equitable access to high quality education for all students. To learn more visit www.mfee.org.

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