Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence (MFEE), Montclair’s local education fund, is excited to bring back its award-winning mini-conference, Life After High School, on February 24 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Montclair High School’s George Inness Annex.
Teens in 8th to 12th grades—and their caregivers—are invited to attend this free, one-of-a-kind opportunity to connect and learn. Attendees can participate in workshops led by community members and alums 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.
“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 unprecedented stress and uncertainty, more of them ask 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?” or “What if I make the wrong choices?”
Unlike a traditional college or job fair, “Life After High School” leverages Montclair’s community members to share “wisdom nuggets” or small takeaways that 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 sports channel, 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 and how to put yourself out there when you don’t think you can.
Each workshop will be co-facilitated by an MHS student. Many workshops are hosted by MHS alums who are excited to come back to share their stories. MHS alum 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. She 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 can experience a separate track of workshops that support the social and emotional health of teens and the grown-ups who care for them. The workshops designed for today’s caregivers will leave them feeling refreshed and inspired.
MFEE previously hosted two other Life After High School conferences in 2017 and 2020. In 2018, MFEE received an award for the mini-conference from the New Jersey Education Foundation Partnership for Outstanding Education Foundation Program.
“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 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.”
Registration for “Life After High School” is free, but pre-registration is required. Donations and sponsorships are welcome, as they help MFEE make the event free for all.
