DRS Yeshiva High School wishes a hearty mazal tov to this year’s Class of 2016 honorees.
Valedictorian: Yoni Gutenmacher. An extraordinarily talented student, Yoni has achieved an impeccable academic record, gaining entrance to the University of Pennsylvania while serving as a role model for his peers. Yoni serves as a captain of DRS’s Debate, Mock Trial, College Bowl, and Model UN teams, as well as an editor of DRS’s school newspaper and D’varim Hayotzim, the yeshiva’s weekly Torah publication. He is an AP Scholar with Distinction and was named a Commended Student by the National Merit Scholarship Program. In addition, Yoni also founded and serves as director on DRS’s Healthy Choice Committee and is the vice president of the yeshiva’s Israel Advocacy Committee. Yoni performed advanced neuroscience research at Columbia University Medical Center, working with a team of scientists to help research a potential cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Perhaps Yoni’s most notable attribute is his incredible character and middot tovot, all while maintaining a humble demeanor. Yoni will iy’H be studying in Yeshivat HaKotel next year.
Salutatorian: Brian Chernigoff. A gifted student who has achieved amazing academic success throughout his four years at DRS, Brian was named an AP Scholar with Honors and designated as a Commended Student by the National Merit Scholarship program. In addition, he was awarded the maximum scholarship by Yeshiva University’s honors program, to which he was accepted early decision. In DRS, Brian serves as executive editor of the DRS Star, the yeshiva’s student newspaper, which he cofounded. In addition, Brian is an editor of the D’varim Hayotzim Torah publication, captain of the Math Team, and a valued member of the College Bowl and Science Olympiad teams. Out of school, Brian volunteers for JEP of Queens, which presented him with their Young Leadership Award, and also works as an Explainer at the New York Hall of Science, where he shares his passion for science with youth. Brian is a staple of the DRS beit midrash, and is admired by his classmates for both his prowess in learning as well as his stellar middot. Brian will iy’H be studying in Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh next year.
Keter Shem Tov Awardee: Jacob Goldsmith. Jacob finds favor in the eyes of all of those who know him. He has constantly demonstrated exceptional middot and is beloved and respected by all of his peers. The Keter Shem Tov award is unique in DRS, as the honoree is selected by the members of the senior class. Jacob is a star athlete on DRS’s football, softball, and wrestling teams, and is a highly talented musician as well, leading the yeshiva’s band as well as kumzitses and tisches with his musical talents. Above all, Jacob will do anything for anyone in need, and was recognized for his incredible selflessness and devotion to others at DRS’s Nedivei Lev Service Society Induction by Lev Leytzan, an organization which Jacob is deeply involved in as a medical clown. Jacob has grown tremendously in his own learning, and makes cholent every week for the yeshiva’s senior chizuk shiur, always going out of his way to do good and give of himself for others. Despite all his accomplishments, Jacob never draws attention to himself, always doing what should be done because it is the right thing to do. Jacob will iy’H be studying in Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh next year.
