Yeshiva Sha’arei Zion Girls High School closed out the first semester on a high note with a vibrant, hot-pink-and-black themed Grade Day Banquet—an evening filled with energy, accomplishment, and well-earned pride after weeks of focus, effort, and growth.
Following two demanding weeks of finals, the celebration marked more than the end of exams. It recognized the resilience and determination the girls showed throughout the semester—and Mrs. Rina Zerykier, menahelet, made sure every student felt that achievement.
In her remarks, Mrsa. Zerykier spoke about confidence—calling it “a woman’s best accessory”—not as something you are born with, but something you build. Feeling unsure, stuck, or overwhelmed, she explained, does not mean you are failing; it means you are human. She connected this idea to Parshat Va’eira, where Bnei Yisrael are described as unable to hear Moshe because of kotzer ruach, emotional exhaustion. Finals week—and life itself—can sometimes feel the same way. And that, she reassured the girls, is okay.
School is meant to be challenging. The tests, projects, and long weeks are designed to reveal one essential truth: you can do hard things. When students push themselves and stretch beyond what feels comfortable, they begin to uncover their own strength. That process, Mrs. Zerykier emphasized, is where real confidence is formed.
The Torah, she reminded the girls, understands what it means to be human. It was given to people, not angels. Torah and tefillah are not additional pressures when life feels heavy; they are tools—sources of clarity, calm, and connection. Even a few minutes of tefillah or a short dose of Torah can reset the day and restore inner balance.
Earlier in the day, following the completion of finals, students received their report cards and took part in Grade Day meetings. These one-on-one conversations with teachers gave the girls the opportunity to review their progress, reflect honestly on the semester, set goals, and think intentionally about how to approach the coming term with growth and confidence.
The Grade Day Banquet provided a meaningful close to the academic portion of the semester. During the program, students shared personal reflections, speaking openly about challenges they faced and moments they felt proud of and grateful for. The atmosphere was one of authenticity, connection, and celebration of effort—not just outcomes.
From there, the celebration continued beyond the walls of the school. The girls headed to World Ice Arena for an afternoon of skating, laughter, and time together with friends—an energetic and joyful send-off into their well-deserved midwinter break.
As the semester came to a close, Mrs. Zerykier left the students with a final reminder: rest, recharge, and enjoy the vacation—but do not forget your neshamah. Confidence, inner calm, and connection to Hashem are not fleeting feelings; they are true self-care. They are the fuel that carries a person through challenges and gives meaning to hard work. And when that confidence is real, it radiates—ready to take on whatever comes next.
We Made It: YSZ Girls High School Celebrates The End Of The Semester With Confidence & Connection
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