Do you remember your Commencement Ceremony? We just celebrated our newest family members yesterday! 

For our final newsletter of the 2022-23 academic year we are using this opportunity to introduce you to a few of the newest members of our alumni family. This year’s class is 175 members, and we are excited to welcome them to our 96 year-old alumni family that is now almost 14,000 members strong. 

Mazel Tov and Mabrook to the students and their families. Welcome to your next chapter, Class of 2023 graduates!

Arlette Anteby (ES ‘19, HS ‘23)  is this year’s co-valedictorian sharing that honor with classmate, Moselle Goldstein. 

 

She shared a favorite member from her last days at YOF. “It was the last day of classes for the seniors and all the girls were in the middle of the commons and we started singing songs, belting it out. I came to realize these girls were more than just people I go to school with, these people are part of my family.” 

 

Arlette is very excited for her next chapter. She will be attending Midreshet Moriah followed by Cooper Union for mechanical engineering.

Abraham Shaoul (HS ‘23) is our Flatbush booster star. He came to us when he started high school and took some time to find himself and his place at Flatbush. 

When we asked high school staff about a senior who became a breakout star this year, Abie was the one. Abie got involved as a seminar advisor. He became head advisor for the freshman seminar, a seminal Flatbush experience. “When I got up to speak at the seminar, my nerves took over and I started to sing instead. I had never sung in public before. From that experience I started learning chazzanut.” 

Abie was asked to give some advice to next year’s seniors. “Take this time to find yourself. Don’t follow the crowd. Don’t slack off and don’t get the senioritis too early.”

Next year, Abie is going to Yeshivat Ohr Shraga, followed by Yeshiva University and eventually attending medical school.

Ninette Setton (ES ‘19, HS ‘23) and Albert Kroub (ES ‘19, HS ‘23) are co-editors of this year’s Yearbook. 

When we asked what it was like to be the editor both Ninette and Albert shared their thoughts. “It was an incredible experience synthesizing our class’ experience into one book. I am so grateful to have been a part of this and leave my mark on Flatbush.” Ninette said. For Albert, this was a family affair. His father, (Gaston Kroub, ES ‘90, HS ‘94) was also editor-in-chief of his yearbook. “Our yearbook points to how cohesive our grade was. We really grew and came together.”  

Ninette will be attending Pharmacy school at Long Island University in the fall. Albert will be continuing his studies at Moreshet Yerushalayim followed by the pre-med program at Yeshiva University Honors College. 

Simone Amkraut (HS ‘23) was voted female Falcon of the Year student-athlete. She participated in 8 teams over the past 4 years. Basketball, softball and floor hockey are her big three. She also tried flag football, volleyball, soccer, and served as manager of the surfing team. 

When asked to share her favorite memory this year, she spoke about time with her teammates off the court. “During shabbat before a tournament, our team spent a lot of time chatting and getting to know each other in a very personal way. The tears. The connectedness is what speaks to me.” In the classroom, she spoke about the teachers who made her feel like her voice mattered. “Dr. Mayer, who was my English teacher both Freshman and Senior year, she saw me at the beginning and at the end. I love English and she really made it, she made me feel like my voice matters.” 

Simone is taking a gap year next year. She will be spending some time in Israel, doing some travel and then going to college. 

Moselle Goldstein (ES ‘19, HS ‘23) is this year’s co-valedictorian sharing that honor with classmate, Arlette Anteby. 

Moselle shared a few thoughts in her graduation speech, “having a positive attitude, you always need support, you don’t do it alone.” Ms. Friedman, her biology teacher was one of the people she spoke about, “I loved how she related everything back to daily life. Science is everywhere. Recognizing and connecting science to Hashem.” 

Next year, Moselle will be attending Yeshiva University Honors with a plan to major in the sciences. 

Sammy Weinwurzel (ES ‘19, HS ‘23) is our male Falcon of the Year student-athlete. Sammy is a three sport athlete, baseball, softball and football.

 

When asked about what this honor meant to him, he said, “I am very excited. This has been a goal of mine for four years. It is meaningful to be recognized for the amount of work I put in and effort and commitment. My favorite moment as an athlete was this year when we beat HAFTR after an undefeated regular season.” 

Next year, Sammy is going to Israel and spending the year at Moreshet Yerushalayim followed by studies at Baruch College.