Shelby, a Dallas native who is affiliated with Congregation Tiferet Israel and who attended the Ann and Nate Levine Academy from preschool through eighth grade, is the daughter of Janet and Steven and the sister of Robert and Adam.            

"Yavneh has an excellent reputation and here, I get the best of both worlds," said senior Shelby Gadol. "On a daily basis I am able to receive an outstanding General Studies education while enhancing my Judaic knowledge. It is a blessing."

"I believe that Yavneh gets it all in by hiring such superb teachers. Because of the dual-curriculum schedule, the teachers focus on what is most important," said Shelby. "Students are equally successful because they have the drive to learn. In other schools, longer classes drain students' energy, but at Yavneh, our 40-minute classes leave us attentive the whole time, thus exposing us to everything taught in the classroom."

  "Shelby works very hard, she is very conscientious, and she is very concerned about making good grades," said Math Department Chair, Veronica Thomas who teaches Shelby's AB Calculus course. "I have high expectations for her."

Not yet sure of her professional goals, Shelby is excited about seeing and learning more about what her future holds for her. Applying to colleges now, including Boston University, Indiana, Tulane, UT, and Washington University in St. Louis, she is "taking in everything around me, all that shapes me daily."

"At Yavneh I have relationships that range from strictly work-related to best friends outside of school," said Shelby. "I've known many of my classmates my whole life and I've found deep connections with those that I might have fallen out of touch with at one point and I think that is truly amazing. Yavneh has given me the chance to reconnect and for that I am truly grateful."

"Because classes are so small and the teachers are so welcoming, I have been able to heighten my knowledge and education without feeling scared to approach a teacher," said Shelby. "That's probably what I appreciate the most about Yavneh - the fact that I can, at anytime, go up to a teacher and not be scared to ask for help."

"From the first project in our, Shelby impressed me with her strong critical reading and writing skills. She hovers at the top of the class but always works very hard to differentiate herself as a writer and thinker," said Shelby's AP Language and Composition course teacher, Bonnie Atkins.

"Shelby is a strong student because of her integrity; she cares less about grades and appearances and more about voice, authenticity and originality," said Mrs. Atkins. "With her writing, Shelby plays with the maturity and confidence of a more advanced writer and older student. I suspect, as she continues through life, that she will continue to find impressive ways to harness her strong voice and sense of humor."

A member of BBYO's Zesmer BBG chapter, volunteer at Tiferet Israel and the Dallas Kosher Chili Cookoff, at Yavneh Shelby is involved with the Yearbook Crew, Spirit Club, Students4Students for which she served on the board.    

With her family, from 2003 to 2011 Shelby submitted  entries to the Texas State Fair, in International Doll Collection and Photography divisions, winning numerous titles including two 2nd Place awards and two Honorable Mentions.

Summer fun for Shelby includes continuing her connection through Jewish life with adventures on BBYO's Passport Trip to Costa Rica, at Young Judaea's Camp Tel Yehuda, and this year working as a CIT at CYJ in Wimberley.   

"For me, Jewish life doesn't just happen during the school year and I love

being around kids and learning and living Jewish life wherever I am."

Born in Dallas, Hannah is the daughter of Tarron Gartner-Ilai and Doron Ilai and Jay and Mary Jo Gartner and the sister of Mikki '10, Aiden, Ethan, Michael and David. A member of Congregation Shearith Israel, she previously attended Akiba Academy, the Ann and Nate Levine Academy and Shelton School.

"The unity that brings us together as a small school and the friends I've made at Yavneh are what I appreciate most," said Hannah. "I came to Yavneh at the recommendation of my parents and it was a good one!"

"The teachers and students at Yavneh work their hardest to complete the necessary information," said Hannah. "Although most schools have more class time, in terms of the minutes, our teachers make sure we get what we need and we learn how to manage our time and we really do work hard to make sure we as students stay on top of our studies."

"Hannah is one of those rare individuals who strives for excellence in whatever she feels passionate about. While taking life and its challenges very seriously, Hannah has a terrific smile and a wicked sense of humor," said Ari Dembo, teacher of Hannah's World History course. "Her qualities are many and diverse; she is creative, inquisitive, mature, warm, creative, opinionated, and thirsty for knowledge. Above all, Hannah is an individualist and it is wonderful to see independence, self-reliance, and self-guidance in this young lady, on the verge of adulthood."

"Hannah possesses that rare quality of being able to discuss many topics on so many different levels. As her teacher, it was a joy to see that metaphoric light bulb flash on so many times above her head," said Mr. Dembo. "Hannah gets it!  Not only that, but she grasps concepts easily and is able with a little introspection, to take those concepts to a new and higher level. She is definitely a mensch and has a treasure trove of insights to contribute."

Applying to schools now, including San Diego State and San Francisco State on the west coast, University of Central Florida and the University of South Florida on the east coast, as well as Arizona State and the University of Minnesota Hannah hopes to travel during her college career, excited to meet new people and experience new cultures.  Having volunteered at Medical City Dallas and for her father, a doctor who specializes in internal medicine and as an allergist/immunologist, Hannah is considering a career as a nurse practitioner.

A member of BBYO's Kravitz chapter, on-Campus she is a Yavneh Bulldog on the Tennis Team and a staffer for Yavneh's award-winning The Bulldog Print newspaper. "I never really thought of myself as a writer or an interviewer but I've become pretty good at it and my writing skills have improved a lot," said Hannah who has served as reporter, co-Editor/Editorials, and now as Entertainment Editor. "I really enjoy it and, although it's challenging and takes a lot of our time, we have a lot of fun putting the paper together."

"One of the great joys of this profession is to watch a young person's transformation. In that spirit, Hannah has been an inspiration," said Journalism teacher and sponsor of The Bulldog Print, Sandy Hall-Chiles. "She came to us so tentative, yet so full of promise and she has worked hard to emerge an incredibly intelligent, creative and confident young woman with an enthusiasm that is infectious. Her success has not come easily, but steadily with her own unique twist making Yavneh a richer place. Her conscience is a beacon; her laugh, a magnet for fun."