Community Magazine July 2016

Salute To the High School Graduates of 2016 Magen David Yeshivah High School Esti Hazkour Valedictorian On the outside, Esti is cheerful and bubbly. Her trademark giggle makes her endearing to all. Even when having a difficult day, she forces a smile on her face. Underneath that soft exterior, though, is a very principled person. Esti’s essence is founded on deep core values. She has a strong love of and respect for Torah, and is committed to living by it completely. A spiritual person, she is self-motivated in regards to her own personal growth. Also admirable is the fact that Esti respects everyone around her unconditionally – and for that she is loved and respected by all. Esti is a recipient of the NYS Academic Excellence Scholarship. Olga Zleta Salutatorian Olga is an exceptional person who exhibits the finest of character traits and middot tovot . Olga is so very pleasant to be around, as she is warm, kind, sweet and always smiling. Above all, she is supremely respectful to teachers, authorities and peers alike. What stands out about Olga, however, is her unique passion and love for Torah learning. She is driven to study Torah, both formally and informally, in her own free time. Olga’s face glows when she is inspired by a new idea or fresh information, and she is always eager to share her insights. Not surprisingly, Olga embodies Torah ideals and values, and lives her life accordingly. She is dedicated to academic and career pursuits, and more importantly to her family and friends. Jack Hanon Valedictorian When Jack walks into the room, your day suddenly improves. With a big smile and a warm, respectful greeting, he is ready for action. Jack is a diligent and highly analytical student whose academic achievements are second to none. He is someone you can learn from, whether it be academically or because of his middot and character. Jack studies to learn, not just to get a good grade. He truly respects Torah and has excelled in Mishna and Gemara. Jack is the type of person who always aims high and usually reaches his goals. Jack was the recipient of the New York State Academic Excellence Scholarship. In the fall, he will study Business and Real Estate at Baruch College as part of their Deans Scholars Program. David Yazdi Salutatorian David is aMagenDavid Scholar Athlete. He was the captain of the Varsity Basketball team and also one of the top performing students academically. A gifted athlete, David has the ability to see the game in slow motion, and react accordingly, scoring at will from anywhere on the court. This is also true about David’s work ethic and commitment to Torah. He is not afraid to ask questions and tries to find ways to increase the quality of his Torah learning. His deep understanding of the Torah’s values and teachings, along with everything he has learned, has provided David with the keen insight to know, or inquire when unsure, the right thing to do. David was the recipient of the New York State Academic Excellence Scholarship and will be attending Baruch College this fall. 44 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE