Lion's Share - September 2016

College Summer on a College Campus

Curriculum AP Scholars September 2016 | Av-Elul 5776

Community Museum Educator

Juda and Maria Diener Lower School | Samuel and Henrietta Scheck Middle School | Ben Lipson Upper School

LION’S SHARE

Welcome to Lion’s Share: Scheck Hillel Community School’s Grade 6-12 bulletin covering news about curriculum, college counseling and our community.

Connect with the names, faces and initiatives that make Scheck Hillel a college preparatory school that develops global citizens with enduring Jewish identity and values. For more school information, please visit eHillel.org.

Curriculum College Board Grants Scheck Hillel 29 AP Scholar Awards Exceptional achievement on Advanced Placement exams recognized

Class of 2016 National AP Scholars, clockwise: Steven Bursztyn, Sarah Dreyfuss, Ariel Gelrud and Abraham Milhem, all now starting freshman year at Penn

Scheck Hillel Community School students were awarded 29 AP Scholar Awards in August, in recognition of their exceptional achievement on AP Exams.

The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program provides willing and academically prepared students with the opportunity to take rigorous college-level courses while still in high school, and to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performance on the AP Exams. Scheck Hillel’s Scholars are among the 22 percent of the 2.2 million students worldwide who took AP Exams who performed at the AP Award level.

Congratulations to these dedicated students and their teachers.

Class of 2017 AP Scholars, standing l-r: Rochelle Lieberman, Danielle Scheck, Sarah Waxman, Jordana Zackon, Abigail Winograd, Harrison Mizraji; kneeling l-r: Charles Israel, Eithan Martinez, Moises Doron, Daniel Assor. Not shown: Shanna Lewinsky

National AP Scholars Steven Bursztyn (University of Pennsylvania) Sarah Dreyfuss (University of Pennsylvania) Ariel Gelrud (University of Pennsylvania) Abraham Milhem (University of Pennsylvania) AP Scholars with Distinction Steven Bursztyn Sarah Dreyfuss Uriel Epelbaum (JTS-Columbia University) Ariel Gelrud Daniela Hojda (University of Miami) Daniella Llanes (Florida Atlantic University) Eithan Martinez (Class of 2017) Sivanne Mendelson (University of Miami) Abraham Milhem Tamar Mizrahi (Florida International University) Daniella Schmutter (University of Florida) Sara Waxman (Class of 2017) Abigail Winograd (Class of 2017) Ilana Woldenberg (Barnard CollegeColumbia University) Joseph Wolf (University of Michigan) Jordana Zackon (Class of 2017)

AP Scholar with Honor Victoria Cohen-Sechter (Florida International University) AP Scholars Daniel Assor (Class of 2017) Fortunee Cohen (Florida International University) Shana Cohen (Class of 2017) Moises Doron (Class of 2017) Shayel Encaoua (University of Miami) Mark Hanz (University of Maryland) Charles Israel (Class of 2017) Shanna Lewinsky (Class of 2017) Rochelle Lieberman (Class of 2017) Jacob Mars (University of Michigan) Harrison Mizraji (Class of 2017) Danielle Scheck (Class of 2017)

College Counseling Summer Programs Offer Preview of College Life To get a taste of the college experience, several Scheck Hillel students spent time on campuses around the country this summer, taking rigorous courses and learning to navigate life away from home. “Students gain multiple benefits from attending a college summer program,” explained Head of Upper School and Director of College Counseling Vanessa Donaher. “Spending quality time on a college campus provides the opportunity to determine whether a school is a good fit.”

Yomtov Bejar (Grade 12) attended a program at Syracuse University and is now sure he wants to apply to the school. “I was able to experience college life and take a full-on college business course.”

Shelby Scheck (Grade 11), who also attended Syracuse, enjoyed living in a college environment, experiencing the dorms, dining hall and campus life. This new experience broadened her perspective:

Community

Michelle (far left) leads a tour of the Guggenheim in New York (Courtesy of Michelle Azout)

Where do you live?

I live In Palo Alto, California, with my husband (Scheck Hillel alumnus Albert Azout ‘97) and two sons, ages 4 and 2.

What is your current profession and how did you come to work in this field?

I currently work in the education department at the Cantor Art Center at Stanford University. I always knew I wanted to work in the art world, and after college I moved to New York City and worked in various art-related jobs until I discovered my passion was figuring out innovative ways for audiences to better engage with art. I worked for many years at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, focusing on elementary school students, until this past year when we moved to California and I started my current job.

“I now have more to consider when looking at different schools.”

Summer programs allow students to test college majors. Ivan Lindenfeld (Grade 12) chose a program at Boston University that focused on economics and business administration. “I decided to take the course to explore its broad content,” Ivan said. He found the classes interesting and challenging, and took away an important business lesson: “It is always better to lay down all possibilities…in order to be prepared for any outcome.” Yomtov added, “I learned that business was right for me.” From her class, Shelby gained insight into what a career in social media analytics would entail. She plans to apply to Syracuse’s dual program in business and information studies.

During the application process, colleges pay attention to “demonstrated interest,” a student’s trail of contacts with the school.

Shelby Scheck (second from right) and Lauren Rub (Grade 11, second from left) with friends at Syracuse University (Courtesy of Shelby Scheck)

A summer program is a solid way to make a positive impression. “It’s helpful to form bonds with professors and instructors, who can become reference sources and allies in the future,” Mrs. Donaher added.

For these students, exposure to collegelevel academics, diverse peers and campus life helped answer key questions. Most important, they now have additional tools with which to make decisions as application time approaches.

Q&A With Michelle (Saplicki) Azout ’02, Museum Educator In a typical week in this position, what do you do?

In a typical week, I work on coordinating various programs such as tours, lectures, gallery talks and panel discussions.

What is one essential academic or life skill you honed at Scheck Hillel?

Writing skills! My writing skills were tremendously influenced by my AP English classes.

What educational path did you follow?

I graduated from University of Miami in 2006 with a double major in art history and communications.

What is your advice for future Scheck Hillel students who might consider a career in your field?

The museum world can be somewhat competitive but don’t be discouraged! In this field, it is common to have to start as an intern, even after you graduate college.

If you are dedicated to the field and are willing to put in the time, the right people will recognize your talent and you will eventually be able to score a permanent position. I also recommend maintaining relationships with all the people you meet along the way as you never know how your paths may intersect.

What is most rewarding about the work you do? What are the challenges?

The most rewarding aspect is getting to know the students at Stanford. They are some of the most brilliant young minds in the country and we try and make sure the museum is a place where they can come for both culture and fun. We recently hosted a late-night study session where we invited students to sit in plush bean bag chairs with their laptops and study amidst our collection; we also offered free donuts and cappuccinos, which they loved.

Some of our challenges include competing with a very busy campus-wide schedule of events and programs and trying to ensure we choose the most ideal timing for our programs.

Michelle stopped by campus this summer, noting many additions, including our state-of-the-art Athletic Complex