Area High School Students Participate in Montclair’s 2024 Summer Bridge Career Exploration Program

Seventeen students from Paterson Eastside High School and Passaic High School participated in Montclair State University’s 2024 Summer Bridge Career Exploration program last week as part of the university’s One Square Mile initiative with the City of Paterson.

The students experienced a week filled with workshops and field trips focused on various forms of storytelling and career exploration. They were introduced to multiple communication mediums, including television production, radio and podcasting, photography, social media, and sports interviewing and reporting. Together, they created a hashtag campaign, #montclairsummer2024, posting content and stories throughout their time on campus.

The program included several exciting field trips including visits to New York City, Little Island, the High Line, and a Broadway performance of Hamilton. The story of Alexander Hamilton served as an underlying theme throughout the week. In addition to enjoying the show, the students visited the Hamilton-Burr duel site in Weehawken, where Hamilton met his untimely demise, and the Great Falls in Paterson, where Hamilton envisioned a city powered by the falls. Although not originally from Paterson, Hamilton is credited with founding the city.

Through Hamilton’s narrative, the students learned valuable lessons about success as a self-made immigrant, hard work, and forgiveness.

The students also visited the headquarters of CNBC in Englewood Cliffs, where news executive and Montclair State adjunct professor Steve Fastook gave them a tour of the newsroom.

Students also visited the Charles J. Muth Museum at Hinchliffe Stadium. Museum director Jessica Bush and assistant Daniela Marin who is also a Montclair student, spoke about the history of the stadium and its role in hosting Negro League baseball in Paterson during a period of segregation in baseball. They discussed the impact of Paterson native Larry Doby, providing the students with a deeper understanding of their city. The students interviewed several New Jersey Jackals baseball players, honing their interview techniques and reporting skills. They also interacted with Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh, who visited during the program. Afterward, they stayed for the first few innings of the baseball game, a first for most of the students.

The workshops were conducted in a dual-language format, predominantly in English but with assistance from student Spanish translators and interpreters. The six-day workshop was a tremendous success, and students shared their experiences on Instagram:

• Autumn Campbell, Eastside HS: “You all helped me so much to learn and create things over the past week! Thank you for helping me change my thoughts about college and guiding me down the perfect path for me!”
• Amaraly Almonte Marte, Eastside HS: “It was an incredible experience that I will always cherish. Thank you all for giving us the best week of our lives.”
• Jiovanna Arios de Leon, Eastside HS: “This was the most incredible and unforgettable camp I have ever attended, and I am certain it will always hold a special place in my heart.”
• Yarlinne Gonzalez, Eastside HS: “The best experience of my life.”

Student Samy Abdelkader recapped the week through this terrific video while students and faculty contributed to photos to this fun slideshow.

The program was led by Professor Thomas Franklin, Dr. Christine Lemesianou, Associate Dean in the College of the Arts, and Kathleen Reddington, from the School of Communication and Media. Several faculty and staff conducted workshops throughout the week, including Vernard Gantt, Steve McCarthy, Mark Effron, Anabella Poland, Tara George, Kelly Whiteside, Vicki Nauta, Franklin, and others.

“The workshop was a big success and fun for the students, as well as the Montclair student ambassadors who were their leaders and chaperones,” Franklin said. “Programs like this give students from underserved areas a valuable and exciting summer experience. They were encouraged to step out of their comfort zones, learn about different study options, rethink their college goals and make new friends and mentors.”

Story by: Tom Franklin, School of Communication and Media