Last Monday, Yeshiva University High School for Boys (MTA) held its 99th annual commencement ceremonies, celebrating the graduation of this year’s senior class. The evening began with the processional led by Executive Director Shuey Jacoby, the singing of the national anthem by the YUHSB choir, and the presiding remarks of Head of School Rabbi Joshua Kahn. After this, Ezra Wildes presented the invocation, which was followed by brief, but powerful, remarks given by Yeshiva University’s newly appointed, President Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman. Rabbi Berman spoke about all the great world leaders that MTA has produced, emphasizing that every graduate has that same potential and can even be the president of YU down the road! Additional remarks were given by salutatorian (name withheld) and valedictorian Yair Caplan, who told the audience what made the MTA experience special for them, followed by a message to their fellow graduates. Then, Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Michael Taubes spoke about the importance of Torah, which was appropriately followed by a siyum on masechet Rosh Hashanah by Yitzy Richter. The final speaker for the evening, before the students received their diplomas and tossed their hats, was Yitzy Weiss, who gave a bracha to the senior class in his benediction address. Interspersed in the ceremony was a musical interlude by the MTA choir, including a mesmerizing performance by the two senior band members, Shiah Maisel, who demonstrated his excellent vocals and experienced stage presence, as well as Shmuel Turner who stunned the crowd with his drumming—using rulers instead of drumsticks!

After all was said and done, over 80 students officially graduated from MTA, ready and equipped to make their mark on the world. The only thing left to do was celebrate (and take the U.S. history regents)! The faculty, graduates and family members walked down the block to Belfer Hall for a bittersweet completion of the evening. While joy over the graduates’ accomplishments during last four years could be felt in the air, it was also time to depart from the teachers, administration and many friends, with whom the students had spent the last four years. Nevertheless, the graduates now enter the ranks of alumni and are “Lions4Life.” The doors of the school are forever open to them and the rebbeim, faculty and school leadership look forward to staying in touch and watching their continued life journey in the years to come.

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