Rumson-Fair Haven Grads Talk To High Schoolers About College Life

RUMSON, NJ — Last Thursday, Jan. 10 former Rumson-Fair Haven High School alumni returned to the high school to speak to current students about the skills that are necessary to succeed in college.

Panelists Bethany Parsons, Camryn Pecyno, Maisie Sapnar, Sam Sapnar and Jack Woods spoke about the challenges in transitioning to college from high school, the skills they found to be helpful in this transition, and skills they wished they had acquired prior to leaving for college. The event, originally the idea of RFH Chinese teacher Rebecca Wang-McKenna, was sponsored by the World Language Department.

The panel discussion saw more than 100 students of various grade levels attend, as well as a number of teachers.

The panelists were asked if they had any advice they would like to offer the students in order to be successful in college.

Bethany Parsons, a senior at Duquesne University said, “Be open. To new people, experiences, challenges, and downfalls. It's an incredible opportunity and privilege to attend a school, no matter where you go or what you do. You learn a lot about yourself and the world and how you fit into it, but I've noticed the people who are doing the best/being their best selves are the ones who are open to trying — and failing — in new experiences. Also, know your strengths and your weaknesses and ask for help when you need it, because I guarantee you aren't alone."

The alumni acknowledged the relevance of the event.

“I’m so happy Rumson-Fair Haven put together a panel such as this one," said Camryn Pecyno. "I wish I had heard something similar before attending college!”

Chinese teacher Rebecca Wang-McKenna had one last thing to offer in response to the panel: "Having a high-quality college education is a top priority for many of our students. Our job as teachers is to help them achieve this. Inviting RFH graduates to come back to talk to our students is one way to bridge the transition and to help our students thrive both now and beyond RFH. "

Rumson-Fair Haven was recognized as a 2011 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. Consistently over the years, more than 95 % of Rumson-Fair Haven graduates have attended post secondary institutions.

Photos provided to Patch by the Rumson-Fair Haven school district. Top photo: Left to right: Christine Berg (French teacher), Jack Woods (panelist), Sam Sapnar (panelist), Maisie Sapnar (panelist), Camryn Pecyno (panelist), Bethany Parsons (panelist), Rebecca Wang-McKenna (Chinese teacher), Christina Gauss (Spanish teacher)