Graduating seniors

High school's inaugural class already making its mark

BETH OLSON
Staff Writer

Three years after opening its doors, the Jess Schwartz Jewish Community High School honors its first graduating class.

The four graduates will be recognized at an invitation-only ceremony May 20 at Temple Chai. Three of the graduates began at the school as sophomores when the school opened in the fall of 2001.

"This is one of those momentous days that people won't realize how significant it was until long after it's happened," says Daniel Feller, board president. "These (are) the first four young ladies to graduate from a Jewish high school in Phoenix - there have been attempts over the years, going back 25 years, to accomplish (this)."

The graduating seniors have all been accepted to the colleges of their choice - two will be staying in Arizona and two will be going out of state - and have been acknowledged for their academic excellence with numerous scholarships, awards and recognitions.

"You (can) sit at any Jewish function in Phoenix, and you look around the table and see who the leaders are, and you wonder who is going to take their place someday," says Feller. "It's going to be these young ladies."

Shira Finkelstein

Shira is the only member of the graduating class who entered the school after its opening in the fall of 2001. This is her first year at the school, and although she wishes she'd been there since the beginning, she says she felt at home right away.

"In this environment it's very easy to get to know other people and to know everyone's name," she says.

And while the experience has been challenging, she offers advice to the incoming freshmen class: "Nothing worthwhile is easy."

Shira says the teacher who has had the biggest impact on her is her calculus teacher, Sharon Walker.

"She allows us to find patterns in the world and be able to correlate math to science and any other interests," she says.

Shira plans to attend Arizona State University and is awaiting word on whether she'll be accepted to the Barrett Honors College. She'll major in biology and plans to become a pediatric oncologist.

Shira hopes to be able to travel the world, and she already has a great start - she grew up in Israel and has visited Europe, Jamaica and all 50 states.

"I've always loved traveling," she says. "It gives me a better sense of who I am and a respect for my upbringing."

Shira lives in Scottsdale with her parents, Sharon and Michael and her siblings, 15-year-old Tom and twin Karin, who also attend Jess Schwartz. Shira's brother David, 20, attends ASU.

Sara Loeb

Sara says her experience at Jess Schwartz has helped her grow as a student, as well as a Jew.

"I learned a lot academically, but I also learned a lot about myself. I think that's what's unique about our school - it lets you learn a lot about yourself and who we are as a people," she says.

Sara's advice to future students is to "take it all in and enjoy the experience and enjoy the people you're spending time with - they're amazing people."

While some people may be taken aback at the size of the senior class, Sara has seen only a positive impact for herself.

"I guess people could see that it's so small, it's a disadvantage, but I see that as an advantage because you get to know everybody so well and you become such a family," she says.

Sara plans to study communications and literature at the University of Judaism, where she has been asked to be a member of the President's Scholarship Leadership Symposium and has been awarded a President's Merit Scholarship.

Sara has been on the honor roll and headmaster's list at Jess Schwartz and has received the Nahshon Leadership Award at the school, as well as a variety of awards for her artwork.

In addition to academic recognition, Sara has participated in a variety of extracurricular activities including student government, drama, yearbook, volleyball, basketball and membership in B'nai B'rith Youth Organization.

Sara has volunteered with the Book Buddies program, the Fiesta Bowl Parade, Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix's Super Sunday, Phoenix City Library, Temple Chai Religious School and Camp Kaiyitz Day Camp. She also organized a book drive for the Phoenix Jewish Coalition for Literacy.

Sara is the daughter of Robin Loeb of Phoenix and the late Jeff Loeb. Her brother, Saul, is a junior at the University of Arizona.

Alicia Miller

Alicia first considered attending Jess Schwartz after founding headmaster Jay Schechter came to speak at her synagogue, Temple Solel. While she says that her parents were apprehensive about her attending a brand-new school, Alicia says she was able to convince them.

"I'm very headstrong," she says with a laugh.

And while the school has been challenging - including, she reports, about four hours of homework per night - she says the thing she'll take away from this experience is that she "can handle whatever comes my way."

Alicia says she'll most miss the teachers, and she'll remember the influence of math teacher Sharon Walker in particular.

"She really understands where we come from, not to say the other teachers don't, but she's always there willing to do whatever in order to help you," she says.

Alicia says the school has come a long way in three years, including the appointment of Dr. Janice Johnson as headmaster.

"Since Dr. Johnson has taken over, there've been a lot of changes to the students' favor. She really listens to us and takes what we say to heart," she says.

Alicia will attend the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where she received a $15,000 merit-based scholarship. She plans to major in international politics. Other academic achievements include placing fifth in the state on the National French Exam and an offer of a $12,000 merit-based scholarship to American University.

An accomplished cellist, Alicia is fourth chair in the Phoenix Symphony Guild Orchestra. She also has done volunteer work at Kivel Campus of Care and with the Book Buddies program. Despite her busy schedule, Alicia maintains a part-time job at Music Masters.

Alicia resides in Scottsdale with her parents, Marilyn Teplitz Miller and Lindsay Miller.

Maria Restivo

Maria says the most important lesson she's learned in her time at Jess Schwartz is how to think.

"I value having learned to think Jewishly along with thinking like a student," she says. "It gives me a lot of pride in the religion and a lot of confidence in myself because I know exactly what it is that I believe in."

The difference between Jess Schwartz and other private schools Maria has attended is being taught how to ask questions.

"At my old school, they give you the answers, you don't have to seek out the questions," she recalls.

While she says she likes all of her teachers for different reasons, she points out two by name: math teacher Ron Epperlin - "I've always struggled with math, and he's been really patient with me. That's the first time I've had a really patient teacher" - and English, Latin and humanities teacher Thomas Turk - "He kind of targets each thing that each individual needs and makes you grow, not just academically, but as a person."

While at Jess Schwartz, Maria has received a studio art award, the Mensch Award, a cum laude designation on the National Latin Test, a most valuable player award for volleyball, and appointment to the headmaster's list and honor roll.

Maria's extracurricular activities include serving as editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, vice president of student government, school choir, piano, volleyball, soccer, basketball, karate and performances in several Arizona Jewish Theatre Company productions.

When she goes to college next year at the Barrett Honors College at ASU, she says she'll most miss the people at Jess Schwartz.

"It's like a big family," she says.

She selected the honors college because of its small class sizes and hopes to ease into the larger classes.

Maria was selected to receive a Provost Scholarship from ASU; a University of Arizona Achievement Award and Spirit of Discovery Scholarship; and the Presidential Scholarship for the University of Judaism.

Maria resides in Paradise Valley with her parents, Lidia and Tony Restivo and her siblings, Anthony, 8, and Angelique, 5.

Contact the writer at beth_olson@jewishaz.com.

Home