By: Ranit Berman
As summer ’24 came to an end, students began to prepare for the ’24-’25 school year, and in the words of Bridget Mendler, “Ready or not, here I come” (Mendler, Ready or Not), That is how it felt as September 4th came creeping up on us.
Whether you like it or not, this year, TLS decided that it was time for students to “take a break” (Hamilton, Take a Break) from their phones for a little while to foster improved face-to-face communication.
In October 2024, we held our fall sports pep rally to kick off the sports ruach. We all cheered as we heard about volleyball, soccer, tennis, and cross country and how their seasons have gone so far. And, with encouragement from our Lion’s mascot, “All [we] do is win, win, win no matter what” (Khalid, All I Do Is Win). Go Lions!
To commemorate Shavruach, TLS students took a trip into “The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Theme song). Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Pluto went head to head in fun games and challenges to get the most points and win Shavruach! What do you think – did Pluto deserve the win?
But, the real question is, “Remember twenty-four?” (End of Beginning, Djo). No matter if they were skiing, swimming, traveling, or binge-watching TV, TLS students were more than ready to be done with their classes for the year. After working hard and making memories during the first semester, TLS students said goodbye to 2024 and left on winter break!
This year’s Yom Iyun taught us that “we can live in a world that we design” (A Million Dreams, The Greatest Showman). TLS students had the opportunity to engage in both job-specific breakout sessions and an interactive career fair, as well as hearing from a panel of TLS graduates. Students were able to engage in a fun and diverse environment while also getting inspired by what they might be interested in for the future!
Although we were all sad to see last year’s student government board leave, this year’s election speeches left us all excited for the year ahead. We all know that many times, the things promised during student elections never live to see the light of day, but this year, things will be different! Since January, we have seen grade-wide activities, student government lunches, Purim and Pesach festivities, etc., with even more excitement to come! “Don’t believe me, just watch!” (Uptown Funk, Mark Ronson).
As January came to a close, the seniors were finishing their finals and packing for the Israel trip that they had been waiting for. Finally, in February, TLS seniors departed on their Lev V’nefesh trip to Israel and Poland. From Haifa to Eilat, and everywhere in between, seniors traveled through Israel and “Made memories [they know will] never fade” (The Nights, Avicii).
Somehow, this year has flown by and dragged on at the same time, and although snowball fights and hot cocoa don’t sound all bad, some of us are ready for summer! Ok, let’s not get carried away quite yet, because we still have a few months to go, but in the meantime, for those of you who feel like it’s been “years since it’s been here……., Here comes the sun!” (Here Comes the Sun, The Beatles).