"Hannah makes a teacher smile when she walks into the classroom," said Rabbi Meir Tannenbaum.  "She has such positive energy and a bright personality that her presence alone makes class much better. Her sincere interest in learning, her inquisitive nature, and her joyful personality make her an absolute joy. Yavneh will not be the same after she graduates."

"I was looking for a school to help me be the best person I can be," said Hannah, who transferred to Yavneh, from Highland Park High School, just nine weeks into her Freshman year.  "The information from General and Judaic classes is woven throughout the curriculum and that is part of what makes Yavneh so special."

"Hannah impresses me with her carefree nature yet serious work ethic," said English teacher and Writing Clinic Advisor, Bonnie Atkins.  "She is always friendly and upbeat, but some may miss her serious side, one that had her very devoted.  In my AP English class, she was always ready and eager to push herself to the next level."

A native Californian, Hannah is the daughter of Beth and Greg and the sister of Matthew, Samuel, Evan, and Benjamin.  She's a member of Temple Emanu-El and DAFTY, for which she has served as Religious and Cultural V.P., initiating programming for the teens.  Leading the congregation's Youth Plot in Temple's garden, Hannah helped younger students to plant and harvest fresh produce to be delivered to the Vickery Meadow Food Pantry.

"I began to feel even more appreciative of not only what I have, but I realized that without our help, and without the fresh produce, those relying on the Pantry might only have canned goods," said Hannah. "It's wonderful to provide real nutrients and sustenance, and at the same time learning myself and teaching others."   Linking more to her "green thumb," Hannah is involved in Yavneh's Hashinui/The Change - our environmental concern organization, as well as Helping Hands for the Homeless, and Students4Students.

  A camper-turned-CIT at Greene Family Camp, Hannah has interned at McShan Florists and last summer backpacked in South America with her brother Matthew,

Hannah has applied to Boston University, Connecticut College, Rhodes College, Tulane University, and Wesleyan University with plans to study English and Studio Arts.  She'd like to serve in the Peace Corps and ultimately become an English teacher design wells to bring potable water to those living in villages without fresh resources.  "I've always been interested in making the world a better place," said Hannah, "and to be able to make a career out of helping others would be great."

Helping that within the ground to grow, or appreciating the sites and people around her, Hannah always has her pulse on the beauty of that which is in front of her.

At Yavneh, we are blessed that her beauty, inside and out, has been in front of us.