For the students in the Class of 2009, June 4 - graduation day – was their last day at LevineAcademy. Many began at the age of two, while others came in lower school, the beginning of middle school, and even one in eighth grade. But regardless of whether they were “old timers” or relatively new to the school, a common theme permeated their graduation speeches - a love of LevineAcademy and its indelible impact on their lives. Graduation at LevineAcademy is unique. Where most schools honor the valedictorian and salutatorian by entrusting them to give graduation speeches, LevineAcademy honors every student with this privilege. “It is truly one of the most anticipated events of the year,” stated K-8 Principal Dr. Susie Wolbe. “Each child spends weeks writing a speech that will reflect the depth of love, knowledge, and Jewish identity they have received from being a student at our school. Some are funny, some are poignant, and some are filled with similes and metaphors. But all make us realize that what we are doing within the walls at LevineAcademy is special and unique. By the time the students graduate, they have become smart, articulate, self-confident, and ethically strong young adults who are ready to make their mark on the world.”
Graduation at LevineAcademy is not only celebrated by the graduates’ families and friends, it is a community event. Rabbis from both the Conservative and Reform synagogues participated in the ceremony along with a representative from the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas. Those who took part were: Rabbis Adam Raskin of Congregation Beth Torah in Richardson, William Gershon of Congregation Shearith Israel in North Dallas, David Stern of Temple Emanu-El in North Dallas, Stefan Weinberg of Congregation Anshai Torah in West Plano, and Chair Elect of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas David Veeder in North Dallas.
Congratulations to the students Class of 2009 who will be attending the following schools next year:Jeremy Auerbach of West Plano: GreenhillSchoolJoseph Berman of West Plano: JohnPaulIIHigh SchoolRachel Chanon of West Plano: YavnehAcademy of DallasJeffrey Diamond of West Plano: GreenhillSchoolShelby Gadol of West Plano: YavnehAcademy of DallasLindsay Gerard of North Dallas: The Episcopal School of DallasYoni Gershon of West Plano: YavnehAcademy of DallasJenna Goldberg of North Dallas: HillcrestHigh SchoolReghan Goldberg of North Dallas: HillcrestHigh SchoolRachel Goodman of West Plano: GreenhillSchoolKelly Herson of North Dallas: YavnehAcademy of DallasGrace Horn of West Plano: SheptonHigh SchoolAri Iola of North Dallas: Highland ParkHigh SchoolJustin Katz of West Plano: YavnehAcademy of DallasLiz Livingston of North Dallas: GreenhillSchoolAmanda Oberstein of West Plano: SheptonHigh SchoolDaniel Oved of West Plano: Parish Episcopal School of DallasKalia Popp of West Plano: JasperHigh SchoolYosef Presburger of West Plano: YavnehAcademy of DallasLindsay Rawitscher of West Plano: GreenhillSchoolBen Ray of Richardson: RichardsonHigh School – Law MagnetTalia Richman of Richardson: RichardsonHigh School – Law MagnetKayley Romick of West Plano: YavnehAcademy of DallasSam Rosengarden of Irving: JesuitCollegePreparatory School of DallasKolbey Ross-Levy of Frisco: FriscoHigh SchoolBenjamin Sheppard of West Plano: SheptonHigh SchoolDillion Shipper of Richardson: Parish Episcopal School of DallasKiana Shore of West Plano: Parish Episcopal School of DallasRebecca Spigel of Richardson: Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual ArtsLilly Stafford of North Dallas: HillcrestHigh SchoolMika Stein of North Dallas: HillcrestHigh SchoolAdam Sugerman of Richardson: PearceHigh SchoolMax Schnitzer of Richardson: PearceHigh School





