HAFTR highlights
In school, students are supposed to take part in two different activities: learning and acting upon what they have learned. They perform these activities in order to help them mature and to help them grow. Students at HAFTR are always looking for new occasions to take part in these different activities. Last week they had the opportunity to do both.
The first occasion that the students were allotted was at the annual blood drive that took place on Nov. 21. In the previous week, passionate student leaders went around the school and educated their classmates about how their blood donations could save numerous lives and informed them of the positive effects their donations would have. After hearing this, many students, myself included, took the initiative and eagerly donated blood. The pride that emanated from every donor based upon the knowledge that they had just saved a life was evident to everyone in and around school.
The second chance that the students got to accomplish these aforementioned activities was at an assembly called “Hang Up and Drive: Jacy and Steve’s Journey.” In this assembly, eleventh and twelfth graders had the privilege to hear a true personal story of Jacy and Steve’s life changing experience. Retelling the story, Jacy’s parents’ car was hit by a truck whose driver was carelessly talking on his cell phone and running through a red light. Unfortunately, both her parents died as a result and Jacy was injured and lingered at the brink of death. Her difficult and slow, but miraculous recovery encouraged Jacy and her fiancée, Steve, to go tell their story to others. They inspired everyone in the room to seriously reexamine the way that they conduct themselves in a car. After learning new and startling facts about texting, calling, or talking while driving, they motivated the students to make a pledge. The pledge gave the students the opportunity to make an oath to drive safely, without recklessly using their cell phones. This pledge gave the students yet another way to act upon what they learned.
In a time where education has become more and more impersonal it is heartening to see students learn with fervor, and passionately act upon their new knowledge. These are only two examples amongst many where students at HAFTR have done this. Students are already planning and organizing new ways to act upon what they have learned to give back to the community.
In addition to writing for the school newspaper, Michael Sosnick, an 11th grader at HAFTR, participates in mock trial, college bowl, and is on the math team. He is currently actively involved in Write On For Israel , a program designed to educate high school students on how to be effective advocates for Israel on college campuses.
