On the morning of March 19, 2026, students and parents gathered in the gymnasium for one special reason: awards! Spanning from academics to athletics, many high school students across grades 9-12 were recognized for their many outstanding achievements.

After a quick Dvar Torah by Rabbi Shlomo Sprung, Scheck Hillel’s Rabbinic Head, the ceremony commenced with a round of academic awards. A “record number” of students received a GPA over 3.67, announced Mr. Benjamin Thompson-Echevarria, Director of High School, and were thus placed on the honor roll. Some were recognized as distinguished honor roll students for finishing the first semester with a GPA above 4.0.

Other academic awards presented included those for Advanced Placement (AP) Students, as well as for the three seniors–Avichai M., Maia W., and Eva C.–with the highest GPAs in their graduating class. Certain students were also given the Hillel Values Award for exemplifying the core values of Scheck Hillel.

Additionally, students were eligible to receive awards for their involvement in the arts. Band and orchestra students were granted awards for their leadership and musicianship in the program, presented by Mr. Matt Villa and Ms. Angelica Losada.

Yearbook and visual arts students were acknowledged for their artistic talent by upper school art teacher and yearbook advisor Ms. Edith Schlesinger. Finally, theater students were distinguished for their growth and dedication by Mr. Stuart Rosenthal, head of the Jordan Alexander Ressler Arts Program.

The final round of awards covered students whose athletic achievements across multiple sports–cross country, soccer, basketball, and others–were worthy of recognition. For each sport, awards were distributed to the MIP(s) (Most Improved Player(s)), the MVP(s) (Most Valuable Player(s)), and other students who set records on the field.