Wisdom at 17
What lessons can an informal survey of nine area high-school seniors teach us? Maybe, for one thing, that there’s hope.
It’s no newsflash: The high-school years aren’t easy. Curriculums are demanding, tests are challenging and college admissions are looming—and that’s not even starting on sports, jobs, social pressures, social-media pressures and responsibilities at home. It makes one wonder just what today’s youths think about their lives. When MORRIS & ESSEX asked nine 17-year-old seniors to fill out a survey, we found the results articulate, hopeful and forward-thinking. But here are their responses—see what you think:
• DAMLA ORHAN, CEDAR GROVE HIGH:
“I am very interested in mathematics and physics, specifically theoretical physics and math beyond what can be physically seen. I also like reading and drawing little animals.”
Dream job? “Originally, my plan was to go into mechanical engineering and stay there, but throughout my junior year, I’ve become much more knowledgeable on the unknowns that surround our planet. Now my dream job is to be a theoretical physicist, specifically in the field of space and time. I’ve become drawn to the idea of discovering things that will push humanity forward.”
Role model? “Astrophysicist Brian Cox. He is a brilliant astrophysicist, but beyond his knowledge, what speaks to me is how he talks about how little he knows. He’s smarter than many of us, but he acknowledges that there’s more to learn. That inspires me to discover the unknown.”
How activities are prioritized: “Academics and education take up the greatest portion of my time, as that is what I prioritize over everything else. To not fall behind or put extra stress on my shoulders, I try to get most of my work done in school; in a situation where it doesn’t get finished, I like to complete any other homework in the early mornings.”
Favorite way to unwind? “A book, a movie and some well-deserved sleep.”
A skill you wish high school taught? “Confidence. Knowledge and athletic ability can take us far, but the ability to communicate with ease and engage others opens doors that talent alone cannot.”
Advice for incoming freshmen? “Never give up. I know that’s cliche, but I will never stop advocating for people to chase their dreams.”
• JAYDON SPENCER, BLOOMFIELD HIGH:
“I like baseball, bowling and movies. I’m also a bit of a history nut when it comes to my town and my high school.”
Dream job? “Originally, I wanted to be a movie director and writer. However, as I’ve gotten older and been exposed to more technology, I find myself wanting to do something in that field. Maybe game designing or software engineering.”
Role model? “My mother. She’s the person who has had the greatest impact on my life. She always has advice for me when I come to her with a question, and I get all my values from her.”
How activities are prioritized: “I do my extracurriculars right after school, as those can take up to a couple of hours. But when I get home, I prioritize the homework I have to do that night.”
Favorite way to unwind? “Video games with friends.”
A skill you wish high school taught? “How to build professional and social connections as an adult. Knowledge can get you places, but knowing how to network and create relationships in your field of work gets you further.”
Advice for incoming freshmen? “Don’t be afraid to try things. This is the point in life where you really start finding your interests. You won’t have the chance to explore like this again, so make the most of it!”
• STEVIE PERL, LIVINGSTON HIGH:
“I’m ambitious and excited to explore the world’s opportunities! I teach toddlers at a local Little Gym and am an active member in my school community. For a teenager, I think I’m a good conversationalist and have a good sense of humor.”
Dream job? “An entertainment lawyer working in the music industry, though lately I’ve also been thinking about child immigration law. I want to use a law degree to help people.”
Role model? “My mother. She’s brilliant and she never stops working. I aspire to be as smart, self-empowered and selfless as my mom.”
How activities are prioritized: “I didn’t know how to do this at all before sophomore year! I would stay up late and put off deadlines. Now I put everything in my Apple Calendar. Academics come first, then cheerleading, then work. Other extracurriculars come when I have extra time.”
Favorite way to unwind? “Nothing clears my mind like a good pain-in-the-ribs laugh with my friends.”
A skill you wish high school taught? “Filing taxes, paying my bills and purchasing things like car insurance.”
Advice for incoming freshmen? “Worry more about how much time you dedicate to schoolwork rather than just the letter grade that appears on your transcript. High school is a time when you should find a hobby, make new friends and make mistakes—it is not one big test that takes four years to complete. School-life balance is crucial.”
• DANIEL ANGELO, CRAIG HIGH OF MONTVILLE:
“My hobbies include writing books—I hope to publish them. I love reading mystery, thriller and sci-fi novels, hanging out with my friends and listening to pop, rap and rock music.”
Dream job? “A full-time high school English teacher and writer.”
Role model? “Stephen King. He is my favorite writer of all time and inspired me to write my first story during my freshman year.”
How activities are prioritized: “I don’t stress out because I am very organized. I find prioritizing my time in academics, extracurriculars and jobs very easy.”
Favorite way to unwind? “Playing video games, writing a few pages and reading favorite books.”
A skill you wish high school taught? “How to do taxes.”
Advice for incoming freshmen? “Enjoy your time in high school while it lasts, because it goes by quickly. Make friends and enjoy it.”
• FATIMA ELTAYEB, WEST ORANGE HIGH:
“I have deep passion for leadership, advocacy and making a difference in my community. As a first-generation Sudanese American, student-athlete and student body president, I’ve cultivated a strong interest in history, public policy and psychology.”
Dream job? “I want to build a career at the intersection of law and public policy, ideally as an attorney who shapes legislation and advocates for those whose voices who often go unheard.”
Role model? “My mother. She arrived in the United States when she was my age, and by 19 she was building a life from the ground up, raising me as a single mother with strength. Watching her navigate adversity taught me that true resilience is not about having everything figured out, but choosing to keep moving forward. She never let her circumstances define her ceiling, and that ambition has always been my greatest inspiration.”
How activities are prioritized: “Balancing AP [advanced placement]/honors coursework, student government, flag football and responsibilities at home has taught me that staying organized and intentional is what keeps everything from feeling like too much. I remind myself often that being busy is a privilege and that every commitment is a step toward something greater.”
Favorite way to unwind? “Spending time with family and friends, praying, drawing and journaling.”
A skill you wish high school taught? “I wish high school placed greater emphasis on emotional regulation and the ability to navigate stress, setbacks and uncertainty with intention rather than reaction. Students are expected to perform under immense academic and social pressure, and are rarely given the tools to manage it.”
Advice for incoming freshmen? “Say yes before you feel ready. The clubs, challenges and moments that feel just out of reach—those are exactly where growth lives.”
• CHRIS WU, MADISON HIGH:
“I’m the student government president at my school. I am also the captain of the cross-country team, a member of the winter track and tennis teams, vice president of outreach for the League of Student Voters and a summer volunteer at Morristown Medical Center. I am especially passionate about anything related to economics, law and public policy.”
Dream job? “I hope to become an attorney and eventually transition into government, preferably somewhere in or around D.C. My parents took me to D.C. a lot when I was younger, and I’ve grown to love that area.”
Role model? “My mom. A child of Chinesespeaking, working-class immigrants, she fulfilled her American dream by becoming a firstgeneration college graduate. Her determination and work ethic inspire me.”
How activities are prioritized: “Between school, sports and working as a private tutor, I have a lot on my plate. My solution to that is planners, a calendar and any other organizational tool I can get my hands on. (My favorite is Google Keep.) Getting a bird’s-eye view of everything helps me accomplish things more methodically.”
Favorite way to unwind? “Playing golf or pickleball with friends.”
A skill you wish high school taught? “More about economics. It’s a subject I’m personally passionate about, and it often gets overlooked. I think understanding it is one of the most helpful skills young people like me can have.”
Advice for incoming freshmen? “Get involved. It’s better to tell yourself ‘I did too much’ than ‘I did too little.’”
• JONAH WEISS, LIVINGSTON HIGH:
“I love learning through reading books, writing, watching movies and documentaries and traveling locally and far away. I’m a huge history buff and enjoy checking out classic restaurants and historic sites. I also love watching sports, especially baseball. (Let’s go, Mets!)”
Dream job? “I have a passion for history and English, and I love writing and researching. I hope to be able to combine these interests into a future career like a writer, museum director or historian.”
Role model? “Personally, my mom is my role model. Her ability to tirelessly care for me and the rest of my family is a true reflection of selflessness and generosity, and I aim to have that level of love and compassion for people. Artistically, I have always looked up to the late David Lynch and Anthony Bourdain. I believe both men marched to the beat of their own drum in their respective fields and were unapologetically authentic human beings.”
How activities are prioritized: “I try to keep my schedule balanced between the week and weekends. On weekdays, I am usually focused on my school studies and homework. On Saturdays, I am in intern at the Muth Museum of Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, which is a blast for me as a sports history lover.”
Favorite way to unwind? “Go to a baseball game or to New York City to explore bookstores, restaurants and vintage flea markets.”
A skill you wish high school taught? “I wish school emphasized being yourself and not comparing yourself to others. In terms of hard skills, I would have loved to learn Morse code.”
Advice for incoming freshmen? “Get involved with many clubs and activities where you can find friends with similar interests, challenge yourself by taking classes you genuinely enjoy and remember that comparison is the thief of joy—there is no such thing as one ideal high-school experience.”
• DANNY KUDLER, CRAIG HIGH OF MONTVILLE:
“I consider myself a funny, positive person. I’m a gardener who grows all sorts of things in my free time—corn, dill, cucumbers. I love to read and to swim.”
Dream job? “I would love to work with animals and educate people about them. Humans have destroyed so much of the environment and driven animals to extinction and that’s influenced what I want to do.”
Role model? “Jane Goodall. She spent her entire life teaching people and dedicating her life to saving chimps—I would love to do a fraction of that in my future.”
How activities are prioritized: ”I put academics first and create a schedule that balances school with extracurriculars. My involvement with animal-related volunteering and clubs has helped me explore my passion while building responsibility and teamwork skills.”
Favorite way to unwind? “Reading and listening to relaxing music.”
A skill you wish high school taught? “I wish high school better prepared me for adulthood, like how to do taxes and live on my own.”
Advice for incoming freshmen? “There will be challenges. Not all things will work out, and you’ll have setbacks. But life is a gift.”
• TERRY YU, LIVINGSTON HIGH:
“I like staying involved both inside and outside the classroom, whether that’s participating in student government, running cross country, playing volleyball or helping out at school events. I enjoy being part of a team.”
Dream job? “I want to do work that allows me to make a positive difference and continue learning throughout my career. I am drawn to opportunities that involve solving problems, working with others and creating meaningful change.”
Role model? “My parents. They have consistently shown me what dedication and resilience look like. Their example has taught me that success is not just about achievement, but also about character, integrity and how you treat the people around you.”
How activities are prioritized: “Staying organized allows me to focus on school and other commitments. I also make a conscious effort to set aside time for myself.”
Favorite way to unwind? “Going for a run, reading a good book, spending time with family and friends or getting outside for some fresh air. Those moments help me reset and come back with a clearer perspective.”
A skill you wish high school taught? “Digital literacy and critical thinking in an age of technology. We are constantly exposed to information from countless sources, but not all of it is accurate or credible.”
Advice for incoming freshmen? “Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, even if something feels intimidating at first. Whether it’s joining a club, trying out for a sport or speaking up in class, growth often happens when you’re willing to take that first step.”
