"I could spend hours talking about why Yavneh is the most amazing place; ask any of my friends and they will all tell you I love Yavneh and never want to leave!," said Niv, who transferred to Yavneh as a sophomore from J.J. Pearce High School.  "I came mainly for the Jewish education, but I ended up getting even more out of it.  I love the student-teacher connection and how comfortable I feel here - it truly is my second home."

"The best part about Yavneh is the comfort and easygoing personality of the way things flow," said the  Dallas native who moved to Israel at the age of 10, for four years, before returning. "Yavneh is home to the most incredible people.  While we are all Jewish, there is still a lot of diversity.   I can honestly say that I've gotten to know every person in my grade and because we go to such a small school, I have had the time to get to know people I might not have. My close group of friends means the world to me and I love going to school every morning because I know I will be with the people I love all day."

"Niv is an intensely thoughtful and insightful student. She asks penetrating questions in class and works hard to understand and digest the answers," said Naomi Schrager, Associate Principal/Judaic Programming.  "She does not readily agree with everything presented to her, instead she respectfully raises challenging counter points and engages in high level conversation."

"The more time I've spent at Yavneh, the more I've realized how important Judaic Studies are," said Niv.  "We do have more classes to worry about than students at other schools, but the dual curriculum just works. The lessons and general knowledge I've learned in those classes will stick with me after I graduate." 

Niv is the daughter of Yael and Yoram, and the sister to brothers Gal and Tal, and to sister Matan and her husband Kfir.  One of her favorite roles in life - auntie to little Lavi.  A member of Young Israel, and a summertime JCC Camp Chai Counselor, she is involved with BBYO's Sally Blum chapter, for which she served as President, VP of Communications, and MIT Mom, overseeing recruitment and retention.  Extending her connection to BBYO, Niv spent part of the summer, volunteering and traveling with the organization's IMPACT: Boston program, where she taught English to adult refugees from Haiti, Eritrea, and Iraq and volunteered in the Jewish vocational services offices.

Here at home, a Lady Bulldogs Volleyball player, Niv, interested in a career in communications or psychology, is a former reporter for Yavneh's student newspaper, The Bulldog Print, now the paper's Entertainment Editor.  A member of Students4Students, through which she volunteers in the tutoring program at Hamilton Park Elementary School, Niv says it's "work, but fun," appreciating the orderly, but not too structured program which she feels allows she and her peers to work with the children, but still have room to make the learning fun.

 "Niv is extremely hard working and completes every homework assignment with maximum diligence," said Nicole Friedman, member of the Math Faculty.  "She is very conscientious and never afraid to ask a question when she is confused. She pushes herself to the maximum and is determined to succeed, even when she may initially struggle with the mathematical content."

"Aside from her academic achievement, Niv is mature beyond her years and always enters the classroom with a bright smile and word of appreciation," said Mrs. Friedman, whose class Niv joined as a sophomore.  "Although new students often struggle to find their footing, Niv made a seamless transition, immediately surrounded by friends. She is the sweetest student to both teachers and peers and everyone is naturally drawn to her friendly personality."

"Niv is respected by peers and teachers alike as a loyal and honest young woman," said Mrs. Schrager.  "She has a keen sense of right and wrong and holding herself to a very high standard when it comes to issues of ethics and morality. Niv cares deeply for others and is often the first to volunteer when help is needed. She also has a fantastic sense of humor and is fun to be around. Each class that she is a part of is truly better for her being there."

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