Our lives are fast-paced. One day, we step into the shoes of a freshman learning to navigate a high school, and the next moment, we don a graduation gown, all grown up and ready to grab the reins of our future.
But sometimes, the transition can prove to be difficult and stressful.
What are taxes? How do stocks work? Time moves fast, and it can be hard to keep up. If only there were a guide that helped us “Soar From The Nest and Strive For Our Best!”
Turns out, there is.
The Morris Hills Regional District offers graduates the choice to participate in MK SOAR, a post-graduate transition program designed to provide students with real-world skills to aid them in their future jobs and daily lives. The program is a great opportunity for Morris Hills and Morris Knolls alumni to participate in fun activities that strengthen their community and take hold of their social life.
Headed by Morris Knolls High School’s Special Education Teacher, Kelly Lestrange, the MK SOAR program focuses on social skills, pre-vocational training, and daily living skills to help our graduates reach their full potential.
Mrs. Lestrange is deeply invested in MK SOAR, as “the program was created to fill a critical gap in the transition from school to adulthood, recognizing the need for ongoing, hands-on training that prepares students for real-world experiences.”
MK SOAR offers various hands-on experiences that can help graduates find their passion. Through job sampling, community-based instruction, and social skills training, students prepare rigorously for their lives after high school. Best of all, it’s never too late to join- the program is intended to serve those between 18 and 21.
MK SOAR is vital for our community, especially in the modern world, because it helps young adults gain their bearings as they first climb into their new shoes. Being an adult may seem fun, but it is chock-full of new responsibilities, and many people don’t recognize it until they are older.
It can be emotionally overwhelming, but it is vital to understand that this seemingly terrifying problem can be solved by associating yourself with a strong group of people with whom you share and explore passions.
According to Mrs. Lestrange, the MK SOAR program “helps these individuals become more integrated and active members of the community.”
Having someone lead you in the right direction is often the first step in success. This is why the MK SOAR program fosters inclusion, encourages lifelong learning, and creates opportunities, granting everyone the chance to thrive.
MK SOAR was initially started as a method to support our seniors. “The motivation behind building the MK SOAR program stemmed from a desire to provide a supportive, structured environment where young adults could continue their growth and development after high school,” said Mrs. Lestrange.
Our alumni deserve the chance to show off their full potential, and MK SOAR boosts them to take their first steps.
With a supportive staff, strong community, and solid morale, MK SOAR has truly provided our high school students with an exceptional education, and it will certainly continue to do so for a long time.