Toward The Future

Recent graduates face college with mixed feelings.

Nicole Goodman
JN Intern

F

or high-school seniors across the nation, graduation brings a blend of feelings.
Going off to college is a time of excitement and some apprehension; for parents,
most likely it's a time of anxiety and dread, mixed with pride.

Avi Mendelson

High School:
Akiva Hebrew Day
School, Southfield

Plan for Next Year:
• Gap year in Israel
1 studying at Yeshivat
Har Etzion (Gush);
then Yeshiva University in New York.
Major: Undecided

Extracurriculars: I was student council
president this year, and the past month
I've been interning at Congressman
Gary Peter's district office.

Summer plans: Counselor at Camp
Stone in Pennsylvania (seventh year
there, went as camper).

Why I picked this path: I wanted a
Jewish environment in which I would

Michael Avi -Yonah

feel comfortable religiously and be able
to continue my Jewish studies, and the
academic level of their honors program
appealed to me.

Plan for Next Year:
Harvard University,
Cambridge, Mass.

Major: History

What I'm looking forward to: I'm
looking forward for the opportunity to
learn about Judaism in an institution
with highly regarded teachers and rab-
bis. I'm also looking forward to being
on my own; living independently.

One word describing how I feel about
next year and why: Anxious. I'm excit-
ed for my gap year, but I'm nervous that I
won't fully taking advantage of my time in
Israel, and because it's a new experience.

If I could take one piece of home with
me next year, it would be: A better sense
of my identity as a Jew and a young adult.

What I'm looking forward to: I'm
looking forward to meeting new
people, living so close to Boston, and
studying subjects like Chinese and his-
tory in more detail.

High school:
Walled Lake Central
High School

College: Northwestern
University, Evanston, Ill.

Major: Biology

Hobby: Tap dancing

Summer plans: Working at Studio A
dance camp and getting ready for next
year.

Why I picked my college: I picked
Northwestern because it has the perfect
blend of qualities for me. Northwestern
has stellar academics, isn't too big or too
small, is relatively close(ish) to home,
and is in Chicago's backyard. I'm very
excited to be part of a student body that

Sydney Bressler

High School:
Frankel Jewish
Academy, West
Bloomfield

College: Michigan
State University, East
Lansing

Major: Neuroscience (Pre-Med)

Hobby: Running

Summer plans: I'm planning to travel
to Israel and also continue my intern-
ship at the Senate Subcommittee on
Investigations.

One word describing how I feel about
next year and why: Bittersweet. As
usual, Pirkei Avot said it best: "Know
where you came from and where you're
going:'

Why I picked my college: I liked their
history program and their campus. I
was also looking for a school whose
Jewish community values pluralism

If I could take one piece of home
with me next year, it would be: My
sister! I'll miss her witty jokes and
never-ending support.

JN

Mackenzie Coden

What I'll miss most: I'll miss my fam-
ily, my teachers, the Crane (Cranbrook
newspaper) staff, my friends — and
being able to drive!

Hobby/extracurriculars: Newspaper

34 June 20 • 2013

❑

What I'll miss most: I'll miss the
familiarity of my home and hometown.

and serious Jewish learning, which I
absolutely found at Harvard.

High School:
Cranbrook Kingswood
Upper School,
Bloomfield Hills

This is the first time most high school students will live on their own, without mom and
dad there to cook meals, do laundry and make the bed. Some students go far and wide; from
the East Coast to the West Coast; while some stay closer to home, others choose not to attend
college at all and instead dive straight into their careers.
We asked six graduating seniors from a variety of high schools their thoughts about the
upcoming college experience.

Summer Plans: Lifeguarding and a
research program

is so focused and passionate about learn-
ing, but can still have fun, too.

What I'll miss most: Definitely seeing
my family and friends every day. I'll
really miss getting to watch my youngest
siblings grow up.

What I'm looking forward to: I'm really
excited to experience college life. There
are so many different opportunities
and things to explore at Northwestern.
(Living along Lake Michigan is a plus,
too!)

One word describing how I feel about
next year and why: Eager. I'm so excited
to see what my future has in store for me.
I really cannot wait to call Northwestern
home!

If I could take one piece of home with
me next year, it would be: My bed. It is
just so comfortable!

What I'll miss most: My family, bed
and closet.

What I'm looking forward to:
Meeting new people and getting involved
in school.

One word describing how I feel
about next year and why: Excited. I
can't wait for the experience I am going
to have. I am also excited to meet new
people, live on my own and be a part of
Hillel and Greek life, among many other
things.

If I could take one piece of home
with me next year, it would be: My
bed because it's really comfortable.

Why I picked my college: I have
always wanted to be a doctor, and
Michigan State is a great school to help
me get there. Michigan State is the right
fit for me.

Future on page 36

