Experience Sharing Seminar by Elite Montville High School Graduates

Montville, NJ – On June 18 at the public library, Montville Chinese Youth Club organized a seminar in hopes to let the Montville Chinese parents understand how to efficiently communicate with their children and help them prepare for college.

Three outstanding high school graduates along with their parents came to share their experience during their high school and college applications. Nick Awertschenko, one of the three students, graduated from MTHS this year and will be attending Dartmouth college. Jacky Zheng also graduated this year and will be attending Cornell University. Stacy Wang graduated in 2016 and is currently attending University of Chicago. Their parents, Mrs. Awertschenko and Mrs. Wang were invited to share their experiences as well. Mr. Xu, whose son graduated from MTHS and attended Yale University in 2008, also shared his experience with us.

Vivian Xu, a sophomore and upcoming junior in MTHS; Amy Zheng and Cameran Ko, both are freshman and upcoming sophomore in MTHS; and Darren Zou, a rising 9th grader in Montclair Kimberly Academy, organized this seminar.

As Vivian Xu introduced during the seminar, Chinese parents traditionally place great value on their children's academic achievements. They are mostly first generation immigrants and, being unfamiliar with the American education system, are eager to seek information on how to help their children. However, many students complain of struggling to meet their parents' expectation. Because parents lack an understanding in modern high schools, it is hard for them to effectively communicate with their children and help them to succeed. With this in mind, the goal of this seminar is to help creating a communication bridge between the parents and the children that will allow the child to fully excel during their four years at high school.

Amy Zheng, Darren Zou, and Cameran Ko were the moderators of the seminar. Nearly 20 questions were asked during the two-hour event, such as how to control your kids' mobile device and laptop use, how to manage AP class, when to start the college visits, etc. The guest speakers shared their experience and really helped the parents and students who are still in high school.