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Graphic by Technical Staff
Some endings don’t feel real until they are happening. We pictured this day for years—what it would feel like to say our final farewells, throw our caps in the air, and move on with our lives. But nothing prepared us for the reality of standing on that stage beside our entire grade, scanning the audience for family and friends. Our caps and gowns suddenly shifted from just fabric and tassels to the bridge between our pasts and futures.
One moment, we were freshmen trying to find the Beit Midrash; the next, we are Katz alumni, holding diplomas in one hand and years of growth in the other. As each student was presented with individualized teacher messages, a wave of emotions swept through us—anxiety, pride, sadness, excitement, and even hope. While we were closing a chapter of our lives, we were stepping into the unknown with something stronger than just our academic skills—faith. Faith in Hashem and ourselves.
After the ceremony, with families mingling over refreshments, one thing became clear: we’ve built something lasting. A community. A home. As Ari Mergui ('25) perfectly encapsulated in his speech, KYHS taught us that “Am Yisrael is not just a people–it is a promise. It is the promise that we, as Jews, will forever be there for one another.” Though the Class of 2025 now goes our separate ways (just to run into each other on Ben Yehuda in September), the bonds we’ve formed, the values we’ve lived, and the lessons we’ve learned will forever be ingrained within, carrying us far beyond the KYHS walls.
To view:
Graduate Testimonials Click Here
Full Graduation Ceremony Click Here
Graduate Student Speaker Speech by Ari Mergui Click Here
Article by Riley Spitz ('25)
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