Written by Joseph Elbaz

With the end approaching, this year at Valley Torah exceeded my own expectations as a Junior who has experienced multiple years at the school, and gave me and other students a good education and fun experiences to reflect on and look back upon. 

The beginning of the year held the annual Bash, which gave students a time to reconnect with their new and former classmates and teachers, and to me, it was better than the previous ones I had experienced. Also during this time was the announcement of the ALIVE program, which provided a unique opportunity for students to duck the chaos that social media created, and find meaning beyond their screens. This was a hit, and many students rushed to sign up, anticipating perks, which came in abundance through special events, good food, and unforgettable memories. The beginning of the year surely did not disappoint. 

Moving past the fall and high holidays, classes resumed and so did the fun, with more school-wide events such as barbeques and outings. The most notable of these was the Annual Chanukah Chagiga, which, unlike other years, took place during the school day and also did not disappoint, with raffles and delicious food. Also, the ALIVE group went to Dave and Busters, which was also a highlight of the school year, as boys got to experience the rewards of their hard work in filtering their phones. Again, Valley Torah gave students a good experience both inside and outside their campus.

After winter and the beginning of spring, the school year began its final stretch, and the Purim Chagigah marked the beginning of this, as many, including myself, had looked back on how far we had come during our year at Valley Torah. Yet, it did not end, and the promised ALIVE trip had begun at LAX, with a large group of boys awaiting their tickets to Miami. Having gone on the trip, I cannot describe the importance of it in my life, as it gave me a sense of responsibility as a young Jew and an amazing experience with my friends. Over the weeklong trip, we did not have a second to be bored, as we were going from restaurant to arcade to beach to surprise activity. You name it we did it on this amazing trip. I myself had wondered how Valley Torah could hold this great of a trip alongside the upcoming Weekaton, but yet again they did not disappoint.

The Weekaton, which took place around a month after the ALIVE trip, was the perfect balance of activity and rest, as we had time to enjoy our luxurious hotel, but also had time to experience the wonders of G-d’s nature. We went on stunning hikes, boat rides, and river rafting, giving us nature and friendship skills. Looking back on both grand trips, I do not know how they pulled it off, but they did, giving us an incredible year full of monumental, life-changing experiences.