For the past year and a half, Daniel Hefter has been engaged in ongoing science research in self extinguishing polymers, studies that involve combining additives to maneuver chemical and physical reactions of polymers. Along the way, he has gotten Underwriters Lab approval, had a patent issued on his research and has been published in the Materials Research Society Journal. Earlier this year, Daniel, a DRS junior, and his lab partner, Aryeh Sokolov, a senior at HAFTR, won First Place, team competitions, at the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair and earned the privilege to compete against international students at the prestigious INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).

This year, the week-long ISEF competition was held in Phoenix, Arizona and brought together over 1400 students from 41 countries, with researchers, corporate executives, and government officials from around the world. Daniel was judged over ten times by international judges and corporate sponsors and won Third Place, overall, for the team competition.

In addition, he won several special awards and prizes, which included First Place, Team competition, by the U.S. Air Force, and awards, scholarships and stock from United Technologies Corporation, the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance/The Lemelson Foundation, and the Scientific Research Society Award Sigma Xi. Daniel plans to continue with his research and hopes to interest industry in his work.

It's never too early to plan a career. With that in mind, DRS presented its annual Career Fair to the senior grade. The panelists included fathers of our seniors who spoke about their professions, education backgrounds, career choices and ability to lead successful professional lives within the framework of an orthodox lifestyle. A question and answer period followed each session.

The concluding remarks were delivered by Rabbi Alvin Kass, Chief Chaplain of the New York City Police Department, who inspired this year's graduates with inspirational and moving words. We thank the following fathers who gave so graciously of their time: Mr. Gerald Gartner, Mr. Robert Kantowitz, Dr. Norman Kupferstein, Mr. Seymour Liebman, Mr. Harold Schertz and Mr. Michael Weiss. Kudos for the goodies they brought along for this year's graduates.

Our Yeshiva was privileged to host the renowned Talmid Chacham, Harav Mordechai Willig, Rosh Yeshiva and Rosh Kollel of Yeshiva University, and Rav of the Young Israel of Woodmere. Rav Willig addressed a group of parents, students and members of our community on the topic of "The Shidduch Process in Halacha and Hashkafa". Over 120 Men and Women came to our Bait Medrash Eliyahu Zvi to hear Rabbi Willig give an overview on this important topic.

Rav Willig discussed the obligation to help singles find a match, and what is important to tell about one's self, and when. He also spoke about appropriate ways for singles to meet. At the conclusion of the shiur, Rabbi Willig stressed the qualities that the Torah highlights are important to look for in a match.

You can hear the entire live audio of the shiur by clicking on the link below, or watch the video of the shiur by clicking on the link in the Quick Links Section. Special thanks go to Jason Hagler and Boruch Shein for coordinating the audio of the shiur and linking it to our publication. Next Wednesday night's shiur will be given by Rav Moshe Weinberger, Rav of Aish Kodesh, on the topic of "Strengthening Emunah in Challenging Times". Men and Women are invited to attend.

Jonathan and David Weiss each made Siyumim this past Thursday night. Both Jonathan and David were influenced in eighth grade by our excellent ninth grade Navi teacher Rabbi Gershon Kramer to learn two mishnayot a night, and this event represented the fruits of their labor. Jonathan, a freshmen, started Seder Moed last year a month before Shavuot. David, a senior, completed Seder Zeraim. David is also a proud member of the burgeoning Daf Yomi chabura that emerged among DRS talmidim this year, and the siyum also celebrated his completion of Masechet Brachot.

Mazel Tov to all the students who have completed Masechet Brachot with Rabbi Storch including Josh Reich, Sandy Fischman, Eli Sklar, Ariel Pinn, Dan Shekhtikhin and Dovid Schulman. The siyum took place late Thursday evening, and participants in the night seder program celebrated the siyum over chulent, potato kugel, and deli roll. May they continue to complete many more masechtot in the future!