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| Wednesday November 9, 2011 |  |
12 Cheshvan 5772
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GPAs & Class Rank
Why doesn't WYHS compute GPAs or rank its students? In this age of highly competitive college admissions, are WYHS students at a disadvantage?
High school has become significantly more challenging since we parents graduated. Look no further than the list of AP courses and extracurriculars offered (and the number of students taking them!). In addition, most students take two college entrance exams (ACT and SAT), and many take each exam more than once.
This "raising the bar" applies doubly for yeshiva high schools, who are preparing students with much better textual and analytical skills and broader Torah knowledge than schools did 25 years ago.
WYHS doesn't rank or compute GPAs because we want our students to work up to their own potential without worrying about how they measure up to the person sitting next to them.
Most WYHS students are working very hard, and a good amount are working too hard. The students who "blow off" high school are few and far between. GPA and rank wouldn't motivate them any more than the grades they already receive. They would just put more pressure on already stressed students.
When students' whole self worth is reduced to a number between 1 and 4, they fight for each decimal point. Is that the culture we want to create at our school? Students would not share notes with classmates who were absent, and would argue with teachers for each and every point (even more than they do now!).
Most small, competitive, private high schools no longer rank. They want to foster cooperation and camaraderie rather than competition. I have personally visited 12 colleges (including a number of Ivy League schools) and met with their Directors of Admissions and discussed this very point. They recalculate the GPAs anyway, as they feel that the formulas that many schools use are designed to artificially inflate grades.
The "Common App" for Undergraduate College Admission has begun asking students to share their GPA, and does not allow them to submit their application without it. Our college guidance staff provides students with their GPA at that point, which is well into their senior year.
Harvard, Princeton, Columbia, Penn, Cornell, and Wash U have accepted WYHS graduates(as recently as last year) using our system.
Rabbi Perry Tirschwell
Head of School
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Coming Attractions
| | Fri. Nov. 11
Boys & Girls Kumsitzes
Sat. Nov. 19
Boy's Night Seder Shabbaton
Sun. Nov. 20 Open House
for Prospective
Students & Parents
Wed. Nov. 23 End of First Trimester
Senior Girls Night Out Thurs.-Sun. Nov. 24-27 Thanksgiving Break Mon. Nov. 28 Senior Boys Night Out Sophomore Night Out
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Good and Welfare
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Mazel Tov
Daniel Gluck ('03) on his engagement to Aliza Weg of Lawrence
Rachie & Ari ('01) Gold on the birth of a daughter
Meir & Suri Weiss ('07) on the birth of a daughter
Rabbi Avi & Mrs. Leba Schneider on the birth of a girl
Condolences
Mr. Steven Samilow on the loss of his mother
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Feature Story
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Light the Night
Students Walk in Support
of Alec and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Graphic By Binyamin Feit ('12)
Written By Seth Fisher ('13)
This past week was a truly amazing one for WYHS. On Thursday night, over 100 students joined Alec Feintuch ('13) in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Annual Light The Night Walk. This is the second year that Team Alec participated in this worthwhile fundraiser. The money raised through the walk helps hundreds of thousands of people afford treatment and medicine if they are diagnosed with Leukemia or Lymphoma.
Family and friends alike gathered in celebration of the money raised and the publicity brought to the cause. The walk began with hearty festivities, live entertainment and team booths that gave information about each specific team's story. Participants enjoyed beverages and carnival food along with Light The Night balloons, T-shirts, and bracelets.
The highlight of the night was when our friend and the Honored-Hero of the walk, Alec Feintuch, gave a truly inspirational speech about his battle with cancer. Alec's story provided everyone with increased determination to take part in the walk for the extremely worthwhile cause.
As the walk began, students marched as one behind Alec along the beautiful bay. This walk not only raised much-needed funds, but also helped spread awareness about the terrible disease. The night was particularly special because of the number of students that attended, given that there were no school incentives to go. Harry Pearl ('13) spoke regarding the experience that "it was amazing to see so many people come out and contribute to Alec's cause. Alec put himself out there to do good for others who are going through the same thing, and everyone came together in support."
The fact that Alec beat cancer almost a year ago made the event personal and meaningful for everyone in attendance. That night, many learned a lesson from Alec's experience- that although something may seem like the end of the world, it can ultimately be turned into a positive that lights up the world.
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Featurette
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Davening at Dawn
Special Sunrise Tefillah at the Beach Inspires Seniors
 Graphic By Josh Firestone ('13)
Written By Ezra Kurtz ('12)
While the rest of the school slept early Friday morning, the senior class eagerly sprang from their beds filled with anticipation and excitement knowing that it would not be another ordinary day at WYHS. The class headed for the beach, where they prepared themselves spiritually for the awesome and unique experience of a sunrise davening. As the seniors began to assemble at a gazebo overlooking the ocean, the serenity and magnificence of the oceans natural beauty facilitated an increased appreciation of God and his wondrous creations. The service climaxed with the simultaneous occurrence of the beginning of the amidah and the beautiful Florida sunrise. The awed students prayed in unity as the sun majestically broke through the light cloud cover and spread its rays over the morning sky. Following the prayer service, the seniors headed to Program Director Shira Englander's home where they enjoyed a scrumptious meal of eggs, bagels, waffles and ice cream. For the senior class, it was an inspirational beginning to another inspirational day at WYHS.
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Graphic By Jonathan Razon ('13)
Concept by Rashel Maikhor ('12) and Shoshana Linzer ('12)
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Interview Dept.
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Ribbons and Fringes
Students Enjoy a Fun and Educational Rosh Chodesh Program
 Graphic By Jesse Slomowitz ('13)
Interview By Jessica Hopen ('13)
This past Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan, the WYHS students participated in an unbelievable program. The students were surprised with a fantastic spread of waffles and ice cream, served in a very PINK environment. Following the delicious breakfast, the boys headed to a fascinating program about tekheleth, the biblical blue dye for tzitzit, where they learned about the many intricate facets of the ancient ritual. The girls had their own program in which they were privileged to hear from inspirational speakers who educated the girls about their battles with breast cancer. I sat down with a student who attended each program to hear their reactions.
Jessica Hopen: What was your favorite aspect of the program?
Zevi Litwin ('13): My favorite aspect of this Rosh Chodesh program was gaining a better understanding of the laws and history of tekheleth. I was able to learn about both in a fun and entertaining presentation.
Eliana Feldan ('13): I think that even though information about breast cancer and methods for its prevention are being taught across the country, it was important for us to hear about it from first hand survivors for us to understand that its something real and something we have to be conscious of.
JH: What was your favorite item at the breakfast?
ZL: I loved the waffles and ice cream combination! It was a most delightful dish.
EF: The topping bar! Ice cream is nothing without sprinkles.
JH: What flavor ice cream did you choose?
ZL: I chose the chocolate fudge brownie flavor. But any flavor would've been great because there was a myriad of selections to choose from.
EF: I snagged a cookies and cream. It was delicious.
JH: What is one interesting thing you learned from the program?
ZL: I learned that wearing tekheleth on tzitzit was really only reinstated a few decades ago, while I thought it had been done for a long time before that. I also learned that tekheleth comes in different shades based on how long the dye is left in the sun, despite the fact that it is all from the same animal- a snail found in the Mediterranean known as the chilazon. I originally thought different colors were different opinions on where tekheleth comes from, but I learned that they are really all the same.
EF: That it's never too early to start healthy habits and raise awareness.
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News Brief
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JUMP Start
WYHS Juniors Take Part in NCSY Program
 Graphic By Seth Fisher ('13)
Written By Saige Rosenberg ('13)
Despite the disappointing cancellation of the flight to the JUMP Convention in Connecticut, the WYHS JUMP team's spirit was lifted when the members were able to participate in the JUMP seminar from sunny Florida. On Monday morning, the team connected through Skype to the seminar and had the privilege of hearing two impassioned speeches.
The first speech was delivered by Yeshiva University President Richard Joel, who spoke about his personal journey to the important position he holds today. Then, they had the privilege of hearing from noted lecturer, Charles Harary, Founding Chair of the OU's Young Leadership Cabinet, about the significant responsibilities we have as Jews in today's world.
After the speeches, the JUMP team members discussed the project ideas that they wanted to implement in the community over the upcoming year. The hope is that these activities will be done in conjunction with efforts by schools around the country in an attempt to better the world.
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Picture of the Week
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Graphic By Seth Fisher ('13)
Photograph By Claudia Cohen
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News Brief
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Dr. Who
Dr. Harow Speaks to Biomedical Club
 Graphic By Jordan Stauber ('15)
Written By Moshe Levenson ('14)
This past week, the Bio-Medical Club was privileged to have its first guest speaker of the year, Emergency Room Physician Dr. Chanoch Harow. Dr. Harow began his presentation by explaining that our religion views a medical or science-related career with the highest regard since it has the goal of saving lives. In fact, Judaism is so partial to the medical field that one can transgress all but three commandments (adultery, idolatry, and murder) in order to save lives.
As part of his speech, Dr. Harow relayed to the students the incomparable experience of an adrenaline rush felt in the hospital as well as the allure of the unpredictability of what may come through the E.R. doors. Dr. Harow also explained the complexity of the situations he faces on a day to day basis due to the multitudes of different afflictions he sees.
Additionally, Dr. Harow helped the students become educated on the key points of emergency medicine by showing them a multimedia presentation about several mind-boggling medical cases. Afterwards, he explained several of the most interesting aspects of his job, such as when he partook in a residency training which involved a Medevac- an air rescue chopper. The Bio-medical club greatly appreciated Dr Harow's time, and looks forward to having additional guest speakers to educate the next generation of medical professionals.
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In Focus
| Cellular Connection
Freshman Biology class
Creates a Unique Newsletter
Graphic By Binyamin Feit ('12) Mrs. Bambi Rainbeau's Honors Freshman Biology class recently did a project in which each student "interviewed" different parts of the cell. This innovative teaching method allowed students to become familiar with cell parts in a way they otherwise wouldn't have. Click on the picture above to view the project. |
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News Brief
| Rock the Vote
Freshmen Elect their Class Representatives
 Graphic By Binyamin Feit('12)
After a few short months of becoming acclimated to the excitement of WYHS, it is now time for the eager freshmen to join The Student Council. Congratulations to the elected representatives. We look forward to seeing what great things you have in store! |
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| The Yeshiva Highlites Staff | 
| Sarah Struhl
Editor-in-Chief |  |  |  |  |  |  | Ezra Kurtz
Senior Editor | Aaron Rose
Technical Editor | Shoshana Linzer
Creative Editor | Rashel Maikhor
Creative Editor | Jeffrey Herr
Layout Editor | Darren Jacoby
English Editor |
 |  |  |  |  | Aaron Zimmerman
Chief-of-Writers | Amir Tsarfati
Chief Photographer | Josh Firestone
Video Editor | Jonathan Razon
Asst. Tech. Editor | Binyamin Feit
Asst. Tech. Editor |
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