WTA’s first graduation ceremony was held outdoors in the courtyard last Wednesday evening. Attended by administration, faculty, eighth grade students and family members, in the words of WTA parent and school founder Meir Nordlicht, the event officially marked the culmination of the “founding era” of WTA, after which the “next phase of growth begins.” Having laid the foundation, and having provided the leadership that allowed WTA to grow as a community, said Nordlicht, our educators have exceeded all expectations, and this first graduating class has set a tone of excellence for all subsequent classes to follow.
In his opening remarks, Rav Beit Sefer Rabbi Avi Hoffman, described WTA’s dual goals of “excellence” and “affordability” as representing the complementary concepts of hatov and hameitiv. While “excellence” represents what is good for the individual, “affordability” represents the type of goodness that can be shared with others. Both are necessary, Rabbi Hoffman said, and both are intrinsic to the mission of WTA.
Menahelet Deganit Ronen gave an emotionally stirring speech in which she gave thanks to Hashem for having brought us to this day, and also thanked the school’s visionary founders, administrators, educators, staff and parents for their dedicated collaborative partnership in making the dream of WTA a reality. She then blessed the graduates with the beautiful and inspiring words of HaRav Kook, encouraging them to seek the power and courage within themselves to find their wings, and to be carried by them into the next extraordinary stage of their life’s journey.
Other highlights of the evening included performances of music and poetry by the eighth graders (including drumming and choreography!), introductions by student MC Jeffrey Jacobs and Peri Teten, speeches by class representatives Leah Belostotsky and Isaac Harrison, a dvar Torah by Matan Marmer and a video montage assembled by the graduates, documenting precious moments throughout their years at WTA.
Finally, diplomas depicting the four core values of WTA were awarded to each eight grade student by individual members of the faculty, and were presented with warm, personal remarks written by each teacher. Students were then instructed to move their graduation cap tassels from right to left in unison, after which the caps were joyfully tossed into the air! Mazal tov!
