Honoring student achievement and leadership at Magen David Yeshivah High School
Magen David Yeshivah High School celebrated its annual Celebration of Excellence, an evening dedicated to honoring the achievements, character, and leadership of our students. The program featured inspiring words from junior class student leaders, beginning with Max Yedid, who was recognized as Student of the Year, followed by Joyce Ashkenazi, who delivered a powerful Presidential Address centered on the pursuit of excellence.
In a speech that resonated deeply with all in attendance, Max reflected not on the title he received, but on the environment that shaped him. “Standing here tonight feels surreal… not because of the title ‘Student of the Year,’ but because I’ve had the privilege of growing up in a place that shaped who I am,” he shared. Describing MDYHS as more than just a school, he added, “MDY didn’t just educate me. It raised me.”
Max spoke about the opportunities that pushed him beyond his comfort zone, highlighting a transformative experience representing MDYHS at the World Zionist Jewish Youth Congress in Budapest. There, he witnessed firsthand how one individual can impact others, recalling how encouraging peers to put on tefillin led to a ripple effect across the world.“ The confidence to step forward, the pride in misvot, the comfort in my identity, that was planted in me here, in these walls,” he said.
His message to his peers was clear: growth requires effort and intention. Challenging students to reach beyond what feels comfortable, he reminded them that “most people don’t fail… they just don’t go all the way,” urging everyone not to settle for “almost,” but instead to “go all in.”
Building on that message, Joyce Ashkenazi challenged the audience to reflect on what truly drives success. “Excellence is not only about achieving perfection, but about pushing ourselves to do more, to dream bigger, and to strive beyond what’s expected of us,” she said. Emphasizing that real growth happens outside of one’s comfort zone, she explained that while perfection may be unattainable, “the pursuit pushes us forward,” developing the inner drive that fuels continuous improvement.
Joyce highlighted that excellence is not something we are simply born with, but something we build through effort, grit, and perseverance. Using the metaphor that each person has “a pile of firewood within them,” she challenged students to decide whether they are willing to “strike the match and ignite the fire.” Reflecting on her own journey, she shared that this spark was ignited at MDYHS, where the support and belief of teachers and peers empowered her to grow beyond what she once thought possible.
A signature moment of the evening was the candle-lighting ceremony, led by Vice President David Abadi, with students representing the core tenets of the National Honor Society: Torah (Aaron Farhi), Scholarship (David Tawil), Character (Jack Franco), Service (Estelle Schemo), and Leadership (Sarah Hasbani), each bringing these values to life in a meaningful way.
The evening culminated in the induction of our newest members into the National Honor Society, Kavod Chapter, presented by Dr. Daniel Vitow, and led by Rabbi David Elnadav and Mrs. Stephanie Shamah, followed by the administration of the pledge by Mrs. Audrey Abade.
Throughout the evening, student artwork from the MDYHS art program, under the guidance of Mrs. Jennifer Cabasso, was proudly displayed, showcasing the creativity and talent of our students.
The program was a powerful reflection of what defines an MDYHS education, not only academic achievement, but the cultivation of drive, identity, and purpose. As both Max and Joyce so clearly expressed, excellence is not a destination, but a pursuit, one that challenges our students to stretch higher, push further, and become the very best versions of themselves.
