The Academy Voice

The Student Newspaper of HBHA

5801 West 115th Street, Overland Park, KS 66211

913-327-8150

www.hbha.edu

Thursday Night Lights
Maggie H./The Academy Voice

        Its 8:30 p.m., the fans are cheering and the lights are shining, as they stepped out onto the crisp turf soccer field. Is this a professional team? No, it’s the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy varsity soccer team.

The HBHA Rams battled the Metro Lasers, on Sept. 3, 2009, falling 3-0.  This was the Rams first loss of the season. However, there was something special about this game. It was the Rams first game at their new second home, the Overland Park Soccer Complex.

The Overland Park Soccer Complex, located at 135th and Switzer, is a brand new soccer stadium.  Complete with turf and lighted fields, it gives its players a world-class soccer experience.  “I was really happy with effort everyone put in.  I had a lot of fun playing soccer under the lights. The field is pretty fresh,” said team captain Justin R.

The Rams strong defense and some great saves by goalie Jake R. helped hold the Lasers scoreless for the beginning of the first half. However, the Lasers still managed to score two goals in the half. The Rams offence simply could not deliver throughout the game. The Lasers scored again the second half, shutting out the Rams.

Despite the outcome, stopper Aaron T. still held his head high. “This was a fun match,” said Aaron.  “Even though we lost, I still had fun. Our team chemistry is so much better than it has been in past years. I think that it is because nobody wants to be a star. We all just want to work together to win games”.

This game was also the first experience that the Lasers had playing at the Overland Park Sports Complex. “This was an amazing field to play on. The lights and the turf were nice. The Rams are also so friendly and have such great sportsmanship. The whole atmosphere is just really fun to play in,” remarked Laser team captain Dave H. Jr.

The Rams will be battling the Metro Lasers again on Oct. 6, 2009. Coaches hope to make an interesting addition to the game. “Both of teams have a lot of players. There are a lot of younger players, who don’t get quite as much playing time as the older ones do. When we play the Rams again, we might be able to organize an informal game where the younger players get to play against each other,” said Metro Laser head coach, Dave Hurlbert.

Rams Fight Hard; End in Overtime Tie
Hannah C./The Academy Voice

    
    The Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy Rams soccer team fought hard against the homeschooled KC East Lions, on Sept. 1, 2009 and ended up tying 1-1  in a double-overtime.

The Rams scored their first goal within the first minute of the second-half, after being shut-out in the first.  Justin R. scored the goal, making the score 1-0. Later on in the second half the Lions also scored, tying the game 1-1.  Both teams fought hard until the end of second half, but neither team scored again. The game went into overtime with no one scoring in the first ten minute round. The game then went into double overtime with neither team claiming the victory.

Keith Varney, chairman and coach of the KC East Lions said, “Both teams played with a lot of heart. The teams were very gutsy and persevered.” While two players on the Lions team said, “It was very fun, and a good game. The sportsmanship was good overall for both teams.”

Max F. Ram’s outside mid-fielder said, “It was a long game, and we played really hard! It was a lot of fun working with the boys on the team. I am really surprised we did so well because in previous years it was a completely different outcome.”

“Both teams battled hard the entire game. It was a lot of fun to watch and kept you on your heels. This year’s team has been playing with a lot of heart and the sky is the limit for what they can do and accomplish as a team,” said Rams’ soccer coach and Athletic Director Austin Benton.
                     


Why I Like Cross Country: An Opinion 
 Josie T./The Academy Voice

    I have been on the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy Cross Country team for about a month now, performing tough drills and workouts.  The HBHA team does these workouts to prepare ourselves for a meet at the end of October. 

The team this year is working very hard, and I feel that the team has made a great improvement since the beginning of the season. The HBHA Cross Country team is joined with middle and upper school students. The students on this year’s team are: seventh grader Moriah A., sixth grader Adena G., sixth grader Elana G., sixth grader Lainie K., seventh grader Elle K., sixth grader Lindsey P., eighth grader Alex S., sixth grader Gabby C., junior Hannah A., junior Mikayla D., senior Elana G., senior Ilana H., junior Maggie H., freshman Sarah H., freshman Avery P., sophomore Hannah C., and me, sophomore Josie Thomas. 

During the first practice, I wanted to stop running after the first five minutes. Somehow, I kept on running because my teammates, Coach Todd Clauer, and Coach Marla Brockman, always cheered me on. The first couple of weeks have paid off though because I have built so much endurance that we have run up to three miles without stopping. After every practice, I feel proud of myself because I push myself so hard at every practice and that’s why I like Cross Country.

Rams Cruise to Shut-Out Win
Michelle N./The Academy Voice

    
    The Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy boy’s soccer team started the season with a win in their first game on Tues. Aug. 24. The Rams defeated the Shawnee Mission Christian Mustangs 6 to 0. The game took place at the Sprint soccer field, which is located across the street from the Jewish Community Center.  
   
 The game began with a goal by junior forward Justin R., “It was like a wave of emotion crashing over me. I nearly fell to my knees in glory.”   Justin’s goal was quickly followed by scores from junior Aaron T. , eighth-grader Ricardo Z., freshman Daniel G., junior Justin R., and sophomore Max F. 
    
Senior captain Joel M. was happy with the result of the game.  “The key to our win was teamwork," Joel said.  Athletic Director and head soccer coach Austin Benton agreed.  “My expectations were for us to play as a team by limiting easy mistakes and working on our ball skills, passing and team chemistry.”
    
Rams’ goalie sophomore Jake R. attributed the shut-out to his defensive teammates.   “It got really hot because I was just standing there due to our great defensive strategies,” Jake said.
    
The Rams will face off against Kansas City East on Tuesday September 1, 2009 at Sprint Field.

Spirit Cups 
Josie T./The Academy Voice 

    Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy Booster Club is selling spirit cups during the fall sports season. These cups are dishwasher safe and you can choose from 32 NFL and all 30 MLB teams. All of the designs use official team logos. There are also 60 colleges and four military designs. Each of these cups holds 18 oz. Students can order four cups of the same team per pack. The order forms are available in the main office.


HBHA at The K
Maggie H./The Academy Voice

     “Slugger”, baseball and singing, what could possibly be a better combination? That is what many excited Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy students thought as they attended “HBHA Day at the K” on Sun. Aug. 23.
     
All HBHA students and their parents were invited to Kauffman Stadium to enjoy a Royals baseball game.  The most exciting part of the event, for some students, was not the baseball, but the fact that students were invited to the sing the National Anthem to open the game. 
   
HBHA students and families arrived early at Kauffman Stadium and enjoyed a tailgate party with refreshments provides by Kosher Subway.  Royal’s mascot “Slugger”, riding a 4-wheeled bike, entertained the group, posed for pictures and interacted with the crowd. 
    
“Slugger was so awesome! He was a little scary, but I was really excited to see him and I had a lot of fun,” said fourth grader Haidee C.
    After the tailgate, HBHA Music Teacher Devra Lerner, lined up all thirty-eight student singers and led them into Kauffman Stadium. “I was so happy that lots of students decided to participate in HBHA day at the K. It was great to see students of all different ages coming together to sing,” said ninth grader Sarah H. 
   
Singers were led through the inner parts of Kauffman Stadium and then out to the baseball field. “It was really scary to walk out on to the field at first. It was so big and there were so many people watching, but I really liked watching the Royals players warm up. I thought they were cute”, said fourth grader Sarah C. 
   
Students ranging from first to twelfth grade participated in the event. The only requirement was that students had to know the American National Anthem. 

Students were allowed behind home plate and to watch the Royals and Twins players’ warm-up. One student, senior Ilana H., met Royals left fielder, David DeJesus. “Yesterday was the greatest day of my life! I was so excited when I got to meet David DeJesus. He is such a nice guy and has a great smile. He even touched my shoulder!” said Ilana. 

Only minutes before the game, the HBHA choir was introduced on the Jumbo-Tron and sang the National Anthem.  Although there was no musical accompaniment, Lerner thought the signing went very well.

 

Student Petition School Over Lunch Policy
David H./The Academy Voice

    As the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy parking lot fills with cars and parents drop their children off for school, several HBHA students stand outside by the circle drive, clutching clipboards and petition sheets, advocating for meat.

Last spring, faced with budget cuts and under use, the administration made the decision to end HBHA’s hot lunch program. In a letter sent to HBHA families over the summer, the school revealed a change in the lunch policy, which also barred meat from all lunches.

Upset by this decision, fifth-grader Emma S. organized a petition to lobby the school to overturn the new meat policy.  With the help of fellow fifth-graders Stella S., Ariel and Gabriel M., Spencer M., Eliora S, and Jonah S., Emma began collecting signatures at the HBHA circle drive, before and after school.

“I wasn’t very happy with the policy that we weren’t allowed to bring meat. Everyday I used to bring meat and I like meat” Emma said.

Head of School Howard Haas stated, “I was extraordinarily proud of all the students and that Emma and the students took the initiative. It showed courage and initiative and I respect that greatly.”

The students hope to collect at least a hundred signatures from HBHA students and parents and also plan to meet with Haas and the administration in order to bring back meat. Emma says that she hopes a deal might be reached that would allow students to bring meat back in their cold lunches. Together, Emma and Haas believe that they can come up with alternatives that all parties will find acceptable.

 To Climb or Not To Climb: Seniors Tackle Tower
David H./The Academy Voice

     As the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy’s senior class returned to the Tucker Leadership Lab at William Jewell College in Liberty, MO on Aug. 31, the students realized that they were about to face a new challenge, while facing a familiar situation.

The day at Tucker for the seniors began as it normally has over the past two years. When students got off of the bus, the friendly faces of the facilitating staff at the leadership lab greeted them. After a brief introductory activity with the entire high school, the seniors separated from the rest of the group and climbed the hilly campus of William Jewell to get to their final destination, the High Tower.

The senior class was the first HBHA class that experienced the 50-foot High Tower. The structure is comprised of two three-sided pyramids, stacked together like an hourglass.  Included within the structure, were additional routes and obstacles that students could take to reach the top of the Tower.

Although the seniors were eager to begin their task, they first had to participate in team building activities, including several stretches that required coordination with a partner.

The seniors and their faculty supervisors, Todd Clauer and Cynthia Knight, also had to perform an activity where the entire group organized in alphabetical order. The challenge was that the group was spread out along a large log. The activity required coordination with every member. When several members of the group fell off of the log, multiple times, the seniors did not become discouraged. They merely stepped back on to the log and started again.  Knight commented that the seniors “encouraged each other” through the activity. 

Eventually, after brief instructions and a safety overview, the seniors began climbing the High Tower. Although the actual act of climbing was a very personal and individual accomplishment, it still required close coordination with the people on the ground. For every climber on the High Tower, two students would serve as a primary and secondary belayer, the people responsible for securing the ropes and the safety of the climber. In addition, the entire class cheered on the climbers, providing support if the climber got scared or discouraged during the climb.

Throughout the day, the seniors strove to participate in various activities. Those who could not physically participate in the climb, tried to help their classmates as belayers and supporters while they pursued their own physical challenges.

During the climbing session, several seniors had fears about the climb, but were able to keep moving and persevere. Hillary G. said, “If you think that it is going to be scary, you will be scared. You need to be able to block it out.”

Several seniors established goals to keep themselves moving. Joel M. and Ethan K., who climbed together, set their goals to reach a point called the teeter-totter. Some seniors also established personal rewards if they reached the top, whether it be the breathtaking view from atop the tower or a small cookie.

        Several seniors voiced different opinions about their experience on the ropes course. Ben W. said that the purpose of the leadership lab was to help students to forget the troubles and worries from the past few days of school. Hillary said that it served as a bonding experience for the class.

Turner S., however, added, “The purpose is to not put yourself in real life challenges, but in physically and mentally challenging situations that are designed to test us.”

        Although some students were scared, the seniors had to push aside their fears and, with the help and encouragement of their friends, accomplish a challenge.

Taking a Swing on the High Ropes
Jonathan E./The Academy Voice

    The Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy juniors experienced something different at the Tucker Leadership Lab at William Jewell College, in Liberty, Mo., on Monday Aug. 31.

For the past two years, each of the mentoring groups participated in the ground challenge course.  This year; however, the freshman completed the ground courses, a set of challenges and team building activates scattered around the Tucker landscape. The sophomores participated in the low-ropes challenge course, while the juniors tackled the high-ropes course.  The seniors climbed The Tower, a challenge course that resembled a vertical jungle-gym.

The junior class split into two groups, which took turns crossing the high ropes course, also known as the Odyssey. The Odyssey is essentially a set of wires connected to two telephone poles fifty feet up in the air.  The wires stretch from post to post. The course ends with a zip line that allows students to zip back down to the ground.

Students worked together to complete the Odyssey. Students had to support their classmates, both mentally and physically.

“I don’t think I could have made it across with course without my friends cheering me on. Whether I needed someone to hold onto or just someone to tell me I could do it, I knew that my classmates could help me,” said junior Davida R.  

Many students surrendered their regular leadership roles and followed their classmates during the Odyssey Challenge. Students also had to give up their fears to accomplish the task at hand.

“I have always had the worst fear of heights,” junior Veronika Y. said. “When I heard we were going to do the high ropes course, I said ‘no way.’ When we got to Tucker and I saw it, I thought to myself, ‘there is no way I’m climbing up that!’ But when it was our groups turn to go, I took a few deep breaths and began to climb up the course. My friends saw that I was nervous and instead of laughing, took my hand and helped across the ropes. A half hour later, I had conquered my fear of heights and seen a whole new side of my friends that I had never seen before.”

Sophomores Take on the Ropes
Michelle N./The Academy Voice

    On Mon. Aug. 31, 2009, the students of the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy went to Tucker Leadership Lab at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo. This year, every class had a different experience.

The sophomores began by doing trust-building exercises. Then they put on protective equipment, such as a helmet and a harness, and prepared for their challenge.

          They completed the Odyssey Course, which has two parts, the high ropes and the low ropes. Both of these sections include walking across thin wires in the air attached to wooden towers, with only one safety precaution which is a harness attached to another wire above their heads. The difference between high ropes and low ropes is that the high ropes are higher in the air. The sophomores went on the low ropes and the juniors went on the high ropes.

Sophomore Jeremy G. said, “The experiences we had at Tucker Leadership Lab brought our class closer together. While doing the low ropes course, we trusted in each other, even though it was scary. I had a great time.”

There were four different section to the low-ropes course. Once they finished the first two, they brought their lunches up to them on a rope and reflected on what they just accomplished while eating lunch. When they were done with lunch, they finished the rest of the course.

When the students all got back to the ground they did two more leadership-building activities. One of them was the game called “Gotcha”. The sophomores all stood in a circle with their left hand out, palm facing up, and their right hand in thumbs down position. Then they reflected more on what they thought that they did well, what they could’ve improved on, and what they will remember.

Freshman Learn Leadership
Ari W./The Academy Voice

    On Mon., Aug. 31, the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy high school went to the Tucker Leadership Lab at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo.

At the Tucker Leadership Lab, students must go through a series of challenges that teach them how to effectively communicate in groups, as well as how to become a follower when another peer steps up to lead. Each HBHA class participated in a different challenge course.

“The main goal was leadership training, team building, and effective communication,” said high school teacher Julie Pellman, who supervised the freshman class on the Low Challenge Course along with Coach Austin Benton.

One of the challenges the freshman class had to undergo was called the Trust Walk, which was a walk through the woods blindfolded. Cameron B. was chosen as the leader. The students held onto a long rope while Cameron led his class down a path. The freshmen were instructed to warn their classmates of any obstacles lying in the path.

Another challenge involved the students untangling a long knotted rope with the ends tied together.

“They forced us to trust each other, and when we went back to school, we didn’t stop trusting each other,” said freshman Sarah H. “The experience we shared at Tucker will stay with us for a long time.”

“[Benton and I] participated a little, but we were mainly there to supervise and to make sure [the class] got as much out of it as they could,” Pellman said.

HBHA Middle School Faces Outdoor Challenge
Hannah A./The Academy Voice

    The Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy middle school attended the Wildwood Adventure Challenge program, Mon. Aug. 31, 2009. They participated in team building activities geared toward middle school aged students. The Wildwood challenge course program is located in LaCygne, KS.

The Adventure Challenge program gives students a unique hands-on experience in problem solving and communication through a team building process. The course consists of thirty structures that are physically and mentally challenging. The challenges are intended to help the students discover more about themselves and their fellow classmates.

“I had an awesome person who took us around. He was funny and did a great job protecting us. I learned that my classmates are great and together we can do anything. My favorite part was the maze, we had to choose the right path and when we choose the wrong path we had to start over,” said seventh-grader Joel G.

The vision of Wildwood is to offer all children the chance to experience the wonders of living and learning in the outdoors. The challenge course at Wildwood has four goals: fun, cooperation, communication and trust. Each group strives to achieve these goals while participating on challenge course at Wildwood. The values that wildwood has is respect for the individual, others, learning, for diversity of ideas and cultures and for the environment.

The challenges consist of two parts; the first is the challenge or structure itself and the second is the discussion that happens after the challenge is completed.

“It was very fun. I learned a lot about my classmates’ strengths and weaknesses. My favorite part was the spider web which is where you had to lift people over it and you also had to climb through it” said eighth-grader, Kara K.

The First Day at HBHA
By Josie T. and Hannah C./The Academy Voice

    On Aug. 20, 2009, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy students were greeted by the Parent-Teacher Organization with candy, while balloons lined the halls to the classrooms to kick off a new school year. 
    
Kindergarten students left at 11:15 am, while first grade had a full day of school. First grader, Avi V. said, “My first day of school was good and my favorite class is recess. The most exciting part of the day was when we traced our bodies and colored them in. This year I’m really looking forward to getting our class jobs.”

Third grader, Micah B. also spent a full day at school.  Micah said, “My first day has been a lot of fun! My favorite class so far is English, but nothing exciting has happened today. There’s no big change to being in third grade, but I’m looking forward to Earthworks later on in the year.”

HBHA got a lot of new students this year, including sixth grader, Maya S. She said, “My first day at the HBHA was a lot of fun. The biggest change was it is a lot smaller and everyone is closer. My favorite class so far is Art. I’m looking forward to getting to know all of my classmates.”

Freshman Rachel K. said, “My first day of high school was really exciting! My favorite class is Hebrew with Ms. Meltzer. My new schedule is really exciting and the dress code was a big change for me coming from uniforms. I really look forward to getting to know everyone in high school.”  For seniors, this was their last first day as an HBHA student.

Senior Hillary G. said, “It was really strange walking in this morning because it was my last time walking in as a student. My favorite class right now is English. Getting candy from the PTO was the most exciting thing because it is my last year! The biggest change this year is that lunch is at 12:30 pm instead of at 1 o’clock. I’m really looking forward to taking advantage of being the oldest in the school, but I’m also excited to get to know the younger classes.”

 

HBHA Alum Embraces Love Of Israel
Katja Edelman/Special to The Academy Voice

    Two years ago I was asked to write an article about my decision to spend a gap-year in Israel. I struggled to find just the right words to express how powerful my year was.  By describing the impact of my experience, I hoped to encourage other students to consider taking a similar path.

I stand behind those words. Studying in Israel was an ideal way to transition into college life and volunteering on a kibbutz really helped me feel like I was giving back to a country that I felt had given me so much.

After a great year at Michigan, I packed up my stuff eager for my summer internship in Israel. It was a busy three months, but in my free time I explored the country I had missed so much. Determined to improve my Hebrew, I spent a lot of time on busses, park benches and coffee shops chatting with Israelis. Their stories were magical. Each one was imbued with meaning and touched me deeply. An elderly Iraqi woman, a holocaust survivor, an American born crewmember of the Exodus and a young Ethiopian all shared the same love, passion and appreciation for Israel. Many of them attribute their survival to the existence of Israel.  I learned from a young age that Israel is the homeland for the Jewish people, over time I began to actualize this idea.

I couldn’t ignore my gut feeling. I wanted to be a part of it. Israel, full of its obnoxious teenagers, impatient bus drivers, and endless traffic jams, was suddenly the place where my identity was strongest. I’ve always loved Israel, and finally I knew my dream of aliyah would one day be a reality.

I spent the rest of the summer working out my plans. I decided to enlist with the IDF because I believe that some sort of national service is an integral part of what defines an Israeli citizen. The gius or enlisting process is not a simple one. As a non-citizen I was responsible for getting a visa, setting up meetings at the Ministry of Defense, The Jewish Agency and the Ministry of Interior. The bureaucratic red tape is a real pain, but I quickly learned that a little chutzpa goes a long way!

This was the first time in my life that I felt so certain about something. I’m not some crazy zealot, in fact I think I’m really well-grounded, but I believe that what I’m doing is about something much bigger than my wild dreams. My family and community have shaped me to love Israel and to recognize her true significance. As I begin to understand such lessons in greater depth I feel that I must show my appreciation for Israel like the people who shared their stories with me. It is important that we express our gratitude and love now, rather than wait until we need a favor in return. This is my way of giving back and while it might seem hard for me and my family and friends, I believe each one of us has to look into ourselves and do what is right.

 

Students Sell to Support School
Max F./The Academy Voice

    
    An annual Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy tradition started this week. The Magazine Sale kicked off Sept. 1st with a presentation from Marty Pyle, a representative from Great American Fundraising, in the Social Hall of the Jewish Community Center.   Pyle emphasized that if each student sold six items the school would reach its goal of raising $9,000.  The fundraiser is sponsored by the HBHA Parent-Teacher Organization. 

Students pursuing the state record, of 307 items sold, will earn prizes along the way. Prizes include cash, a ride in a limo, an iPod and a laptop.

Fourth-grader Caleb K. said, “I think the laptop would be really fun to have” and seventh-grader Joel G. added, “I think the laptop is the coolest prize”.

The magazine sale ends Sept. 16, with turn in dates on the Sept. 3, 9, and 16.

The goal of the Magazine Sale is to help raise money for HBHA and as freshman Nathan M. puts it, “selling magazines is good, not just because it is helping our school, but the students can also earn cool prizes”.

Parent Go Back to School, For a Night
 Josie T./The Academy Voice

    On Sept. 1, 2009, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy upper and middle school's parents and teachers attended “Back to School Night”. “Back to School Night” offers the opportunity for parents and teachers to introduce themselves, discuss individual classes, and expectations.

HBHA teacher Cynthia Knight said, "I plan to introduce myself to parents I haven't already met and answer any questions or comments. I also plan on discussing the class structure and course. I am most definitely looking forward to seeing all of the parents. They are wonderful and supportive and it's great to connect with them and share stories about their outstanding students. I'm very excited about my second year at the HBHA and this is a great way to kick it off."

Teacher Todd Clauer added, "I'm definitely ready for back to school night. I'm not worried, but it’s always nice to see parents again which I am looking forward to. I have planned a mini lesson on what the class is doing to each of the parents."

HBHA Regalia
Elana G./Senior Editor

    The Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy upper school Student Council is currently selling spirit t-shirts for the 2009-2010 school year.  All students will be allowed to wear them to school on Tuesdays.  
    
STUCO President, Hillary G., said, “We [STUCO] wanted to start the year off with a thing to unite the whole school”.  T-shirts must be ordered by Sept. 1.  For more information please contact STUCO advisor, Todd Clauer or STUCO president Hillary G..
    
The Parent Teacher Organization is also selling spirit wear.  They will be selling HBHA sweatshirts, which students can wear during class.  The sweatshirts are black zip-ups with HBHA across the front.  They must also be ordered by Fri. Sept. 1.  HBHA parent Greg Azorsky is making both the t-shirts and sweatshirts.

Lower School Back to School Night
Mikayla D./The Academy Voice

    Parents and teachers of lower school students came to the school for HBHA back to school night on Tues. Aug. 25.  The purpose of the back to school night was for the parents to meet their children’s teachers and to ask questions about the class or the curriculum.  
    
HBHA parent Debi Davis said, “I liked to see the classrooms already with projects up so soon after school has started”.  This was Davis’ eleventh back to school night and she said “there was still more information to learn about the school and who is teaching my child”.  HBHA computer teacher Lynda Alspaugh added “there was a good turnout for the back to school night”.

The Last First Day at HBHA
By Elana G./Senior Editor 

    For the past two weeks, I have joked that Aug. 20, 2009 would be my last first day of school at the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy.  Every first day of school for me has been repetitive.  I am always sad to let go of summer as I dread the cold hallways of HBHA.  However, this time was different because I realized how much I would miss HBHA next year. 

Before I walked in the door, I saw a family friend who had just dropped their child off in the kindergarten classroom.  I walked into the kindergarten Hebrew classroom and waved.  The kindergarteners were all smiling and so happy for their first day.  It made me remember my first day at HBHA in August of 1997. I was so nervous that I did not speak to my Hebrew teacher the entire school year.

Today, my experience was different.  As I walked in the building, I said hello to teachers that I had not seen since last year.  I have grown significantly as a person over my years at HBHA. 

HBHA is a unique place.  This morning, the PTO passed out candy to students as they entered the building, the teachers greeted students and parents as they walked in the door, and everyone was smiling.  I know that I could not experience that at any other school and I am thankful for my thirteen first day experiences at HBHA.

Obama’s speech to Students: Students' Opinions
David H./The Academy Voice

    As students crowded into the library at Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy on Tues., September 8, 2009, the sight of a packed Arlington, VA auditorium projected onto a wall greeted them. The students and countless others across the country were about to watch President Barack Obama give a major and controversial address about the nations education system.

The speech garnered a tremendous amount of controversy from conservative pundits across the country. Some conservatives believed that the President would take this national broadcast to spread a liberal political agenda to the nation’s youth. Across the nation, several school districts either decided to not show the speech or decided to have the administration view the speech first, before showing it to students. Several parents, outraged by their school district’s decision to show the speech, kept their children at home.

Witnessing the speech, I did not notice anything inherently controversial about it. The President did not announce new government programs that would fix the school system. He did not announce a major new policy. He did not say anything that I found controversial. It was a speech that went above political parties and ideologies. The speech delivered a message that reinforced the values of hard work and dedication in order to achieve an education.

Obama reassured students of the reality of today’s educational society, that nearly every job requires some form of higher education. Despite conditions that might impede a student’s path to obtain a higher education, it is the student’s responsibility to work and dedicate themselves to the goal of achieving an education.

Although I was not particularly moved by the President’s speech, I feel that it was an important speech nonetheless. The President discussed this issue in ways that regular students would understand and he used his own experience to illustrate his points. I think that this speech was needed as millions of students across the country prepare to start school, giving them guidance for the new school year.

Max F./The Academy Voice

    On Sept. 8 The Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy’s upper school gathered in the library to watch President Obama’s speech to students. Before watching the speech, I had heard about the controversy surrounding it. Many right-wingers believed that the President was taking advantage of the students and would use the opportunity to promote his political agenda.

"At a minimum it's disruptive. Number two, it's uninvited. And number three, if people would like to hear his message they can, on a voluntary basis, go to YouTube or some other source and get it. I don't think he needs to force it upon the nation's school children," Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said.

I don’t agree with Gov. Pawlenty’s third point because I do not believe many students would actually go out their way to watch the presidential speech if it was optional. I do not necessarily agree with the white House’s statement about the speech either.

"The goal of the speech and the lesson plans is to challenge students to work hard, stay in school and dramatically reduce the dropout rate," an administration spokesman said. "This isn't a policy speech. It's a speech designed to encourage kids to stay in school."

Although I do not plan on dropping out of school and I have never even seen it as an option, I do not see the effectiveness of telling kids to stay in school. As a sixteen-year old, sitting and watching the speech, I was not motivated to do my best just because the president sent out a live broadcast to most schools in the country.  I have other motivations to study hard. The speech may have affected some people, but I do not see it changing the minds of many.

Maggie H./The Academy Voice

    As I walked into my fourth period Hebrew class on Tues., Sept. 08, 2009, I noticed that something strange was written on the board.  The class time, 9:55-11:00, this meant that class ended twenty minutes earlier than it normally would. Why? I wondered. I soon found out that we would be leaving class early to watch President Barak Obama deliver a speech to all American students. I am not proud to say, that before that moment, I had no idea that President Obama was delivering such a speech.

Going into the presentation, I had no idea what the speech was about going to be about or any the controversy surrounded it. I went in with an open-mind.

I enjoyed Obama’s speech. I found it inspiring that the President of the United States took time to talk to the students of America. He encouraged students to maintain their focus and use school as a way to succeed, despite the many challenges we may be facing. Obama’s speech was a great motivation for me to keep working hard in school.  

I think that it ridiculous that there was any controversy surrounding Obama’s Speech. People believed that the President would use this time to persuade students of his political belief. He did no such thing. A list of prepared points from the speech was even released ahead of time. Education officials and parents should not have been worried.

Hannah  A./The Academy Voice

    I thought that Barack Obama’s speech to schools was very inspiring. Even though I am not planning on dropping out of school, it made me want to work my hardest.

I do not know why people would think that Obama would include his political views in his speech. When he was speaking about how we should stay in school, there was no sign that he was going to include his own opinions in the speech.  For people who didn’t want their children hearing the speech or just didn’t agree with him giving it, I think that it is a great idea for students because if someone like the President takes the to talk about staying in school, we should listen.

I do not think it should matter what your political views are or what your own personal views about Obama.  He is the President of the United States of America.  I thought it was a good thing that Obama did this for students because I think that it will really encourage us to try to do what he asked us to do in his speech.

Michelle N./The Academy Voice

    Today on Tues. 8, 2009, President Barack Obama gave a speech to the high school students of Wakefield High School in Washington D.C., Arlington, Va. In his speech he told them to take responsibility for their education, pay attention in class and study hard. Outside of the school, many protestors waited for him with signs. One sign said, "Mr. President, stay away from our kids." Some called the speech an effort to recruit America's children into socialism.

I disagree with these protestors because I believe that if Obama wants to take time out of his day to talk to the students across the country, then we should take time out of our day to listen to what he has to say to us. Another reason why I think that schools should have listened to the President’s speech today is because this is an important day in history and I think that we all should have been involved in it.

After hearing the speech today, I read over the last speech that was given by a president to students. It was delivered by George H.W. Bush in 1991 to a class of eighth graders. There were many similarities in the two speeches, but each one had a different focus. The speech by President Bush focused on not doing drugs in schools and the one by President Obama focused more on studying hard to build their future.

Overall, I am glad that I listened to Obama’s speech today and am surprised at some people’s responses to the speech, when it did not even come out yet.

Josie T./The Academy Voice

    On Sept. 8, 2009, President Barack Obama spoke in Arlington, Virginia at Wakefield High School and to students across the country, to encourage them  to try their best in school so they will  have good education for the future.

Some parents thought Obama was wasting the children’s learning time to talk about politics and government. Some parents thought their students  would not be interested in the speech.  Obama was really talking about how students should strive for their future education, and try to push them to work hard to show themselves they can succeed in anything.

"I'm calling on each of you to set your own goals for your education -- and to do everything you can to meet them," President Obama said. "Every single one of you has something that you're good at. Every single one of you has something to offer."

I think Obama delivered a great speech and it seemed like it influenced most students because of what he had to say. It showed that anyone, like he said, can work their hardest to get the best education they can, even the people with the most disadvantages. He did a good job to proving that he worked very hard to get a good education, showing that he is the president. He made me realize that education does matter, and it will show the most in the future.

Jonathan E./The Academy Voice

    What is the job of the president of the United States?  I think our president is responsible for keeping the country together as best he can. He gives speeches to Congress and Americans about what he is doing to try and improve our country. As always, the opposing party will lash out at him for their own selfish reasons. But the statements released by parents and school boards regarding whether or not the students could view Obama’s speech on education was just outrageous.

Parents pulled kids from school because they were afraid Obama’s speech would be too political. They were afraid that the speech would “brainwash” their kids. What puzzles me is how parents who want the best for their children are pulling them out of school, so they would not hear a ten minute speech given by our elected president about how staying in school is the most important thing for our country. 

In my opinion, Americans should push aside their political views and accept that Obama is speaking to all kids of American; black, white, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Democratic and Republican. The children are the future of America. What kind of message our we sending to children when we keep them from hearing a President’s speech? Issues of health care, gay marriage, abortion and women’s rights are all very controversial and have specific political views tied to them, but the well being of our students should be a unanimously agreed upon, regardless of party and politics. Without our students, without our schools, there is no future for America.