Katie Lerer was a seed planted, now a most magnificent blossom as she comes to the end of her academic career at Yavneh. When deciding where to attend high school, it was conversations with her brother Joe '11, now a sophomore at Harvard University that made her decision clear. "No question, you should go to Yavneh," he told her. "It's a fun school that gives plenty of individualized attention from the teachers." In the end, said Katie "there really was "no question."  

Study halls are the answer to it all! Yavneh allows for each student to have two study hall periods during the day. I have found these to be vary useful. One is allowed to use them in whichever way he or she wishes. I would either do some homework early, or just allow my brain to rest, and take my mind of classes.

Katie plans to attend Colorado College in Colorado Springs, with designs on an environmental policy major. "I have always loved being in the outdoors," she said. "My mom was an environmental lawyer has always encouraged me to be outside. It's important to know how our earth works and what species are around us." 

Katie notes the best part of Yavneh is definitely the "family" community created by no division between the different grades. "We all sit together during meals, davening, and assemblies and my friends are some of the kindest people I know," said Katie. "Between the Juniors and the Seniors, we never run out of activities. We can be just hanging out at someone's home, or visiting the Arboretum or the Nasher museum - but we always have fun and laughter is inevitable."

"I have such a strong relationship with all of the staff members at Yavneh," said Katie. "Some of my favorite memories include sitting in the office and talking with teachers and administrators - they all make sure the students know they care about us beyond the classroom."

Katie's a native Dallasite who previously attended Preston Hollow Elementary and the Shelton School. The daughter of Jane and Stephen and the sister of Joe '11 and Lilly, she is a member of Temple Emanu-El, involved with that congregation's Dallas Area Federation of Temple Youth chapter, for which she serves as its Membership Committee Chair, and she is a Chairperson of this year's Jewish Family Service Junior Advisory Board.

"I think it is important for interfaith teens to discuss relevant problems and solutions," Katie said of her JFS commitment. "We propose solutions in order to strengthen family relationships and, coming from a family that works hard to maintain close relationships, I felt I had much to contribute."

A member of Yavneh's Hashinui/Environmental organization for four years, and this year the club's president, Katie has been involved with the school's Spirit Club, Helping Everyone Live Peacefully, The Bulldog Print, and she also played tennis for the Yavneh Bulldog team.

Katie, who works at Whole Earth Provisions, is a child of and for the earth whose caring about the environment extends to her school and summer vacations. She took a sabbatical from Yavneh during the spring semester of her Junior year where she studied at Chewonki Semester School, an environmental education program, her summers have included experiences with Outward Bound in Utah and as a volunteer at the Our School at Blair Grocery in New Orleans, where Katie returned to Dallas with the project in her heart. When the farm sustained a devastating loss due to Hurricane Isaac, with many of the crops affected and significant repairs necessary to the main building and greenhouse, Katie took it upon herself to raise funds in support.

Family vacations have brought adventures to for the Lerer family including a 3-day silent meditation retreat, visits to art and music festivals, and to take in all that nature - Katie's truest love - can provide.

It's Katie's green thumb, and incredible heart, that will find her continuing to care about her planet and her people. No doubt, still a bud in her own garden of life, Katie will always flourish.