Every year it happens in May and early June: Spring, a season of renewal and beauty, which grows from determination and hard work. It is also a season of graduations everywhere…an event that also commemorates growth, hard work and new beginnings. Coincidence? Probably not… and so, in grand tradition, the Hebrew Academy of Tidewater Konikoff Center of Learning’s Class of 2013 gathered for their very memorable commencement ceremony on June 6 on the Sandler Family Campus.
Little compares to observing the beaming faces of parents, grandparents and other family members and friends as they adoringly watch their beloved children walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. These students wore equally mammoth-sized smiles as they accepted their parchment, shaking the hand of Rabbi Mordechai Wecker, headmaster, who posed with each graduate. “Continue to learn, continue to grow,” said Wecker.
“Continue on your upward trajectory as students, and always retain that child-like curiosity about your world that was the hallmark of your time spent here at HAT. Continue to grow as Jews, learning more about your sacred roots and responsibilities to G-d, to this great nation the United States of America, to your fellow Jews, and to the State of Israel.”
Awards and presentations
Nine year awards
(from preschool, age two–5th grade)
Sarah Blais, Leora Freidman, Elizabeth Hughes, Daniel Krell, Samuel Lederman, Rose Lefcoe, Audrey Peck, Jonathan Peck, Aidan Rosenblum, Rachael Stromberg
James London Memorial Athlete of the Year
Aidan Rosenblum
Middot Award (for the student who most exemplifies the values we strive to live)
Rachael Stromberg
Shirley Helfant and Ruth Josephberg Award for Visual Arts
Sarah Blais
Abe and Anna Rudolph Award for Excellence in Mathematics
Rose Lefcoe
Rabbi Charles J. Mantel Memorial Award for Excellence in Judaic Studies
Emily Myers
Hyman J. Stromberg Memorial Award for Academic Excellence
Shoshana Zysman
Members of HAT Class of 2013 have been accepted to:
Norfolk Academy
Cape Henry Collegiate School
Norfolk Collegiate School
Virginia Beach Friends School
Great Neck Middle School’s AVID program with advanced classes in English and Science
Kempsville Middle School
Beth T’filoh, Baltimore, Md.
Hebrew Academy of Tidewater is a constituent agency of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.
by Dee Dee Becker