34 students at DRS have earned the designation of AP Scholar by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Program Exams. Students took AP Exams in May 2005 after completing challenging college-level courses at their high schools. Only approximately 18 percent of the more than one million high school students worldwide who took AP exams are named AP Scholars.

Among the DRS AP Scholars, The College Board awarded DRS alumnus Elie Freilich, (’05), the outstanding recognition of a National AP Scholar on Advance Placement (AP) examinations that Elie took during his years at DRS High School. Elie qualified for the prestigious National AP Scholar Award by earning an average grade of 4 or 5 on ALL the AP exams he took, and grades of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams.

Elie’s sterling character was matched only by his exceptional academic record. A member of the National Honor Society, Elie also served as co-captain of the DRS Debate Team. As a member of the Science Olympiad, he won two bronze medals in Biology and Meteorology during his competitions.

We congratulate Elie, the rest of the AP Scholars and their families on his being granted these prestigious awards.

By Jason Hagler, 11th Grade

Once again, the annual DRS Motzai Shabbat selichot program packed a triple punch of inspiration, with father son learning, followed by words from Rabbi Yitzchak Cohen, and inspirational selichot led by our menahel. Rabbi Cohen, Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva University, enjoys a close personal connection with many of the Rabbeim and talmidim at DRS, and he is internationally known as an amazing speaker. He did not disappoint, inspiring the large crowd to make time to think about what the tefilot of the yomim noraim are all about.

By Jason Strauss, 11th Grade

One of the highlights of the DRS week takes place each Friday morning in the Bet Medrash. Talmidim from 10th, 11th, and 12th grade participate in our incredibly popular chabura program. Each student is assigned to a chabura, a group of 5-7 talmidim paired with a ‘madrich,’ a college age mentor. These learning sessions give our students the opportunity to develop a meaningful relationship with young men closer to their age, who have recently dealt with many of the struggles and challenges of high school.

Our madrichim participate in a wide variety of yeshiva events, including the Yeshiva Shabbaton and grade trips, as well as special learning programs and chagigot, really making their presence felt as members of the DRS family. As our school has gotten older, we have been privileged to witness a new trend among the madrichim: DRS alumni returning to the yeshiva to give back to younger students. This year’s group of madrichim is full of many such alumni, who are excited to play a new role in their DRS experience. We wish them, and all of the madrichim and talmidim, much success in the chabura program this year.

By Zeke Miller, DRS Student Editor-In- Chief

This past Wednesday the brand-new DRS Science Research Program kicked off with a meeting of interested students in the library during 4th period. Dr. Binder, the new DRS Science Research coordinator, introduced the new program together with Mr. Feldman to a group of students representing all grades. Both stressed the benefits of this new program saying that in addition to promoting research, it would be possible to enter into contests and to obtain significant scholarships and even patents.

The new program will pair DRS students with professional researchers at various renowned research laboratories including Stony Brook and Columbia. Students, depending on their research topic will be doing work either at the researcher’s lab or at DRS. Students will also have the opportunity to do research over the summer at various labs. DRS students are very lucky to have this one of a kind opportunity.

By Jason Kantor, 10th Grade

In continuing what has become a wonderful tradition at DRS, this past Wednesday Rabbi Erlbaum’s shiur paid a visit to the local Nursing Home to help bring the spirit of the new year to the elderly. Under the direction of Rabbi Brazil, the students sang Jewish favorites such as Hava Negila, along with holiday classics including “Dip the apple in the honey.”

The class danced, and David Werthhiemer gave a solo rendition of Essa Einai. Rabbi Brazil was very happy with the group’s performance, stating that he thinks “it’s great that we can bring smiles to the faces of the elderly.” Lilly Alexander, a resident of the nursing home summed it up the best with her grateful comments: “you fellas are real great. I really loved the songs you sang. You should keep coming around here!”

We continue to witness a flurry of excitement and activity around the DRS College Guidance Office. On any given occasion, seniors can be found milling around there filling out applications, registering for SAT’s, discussing their essays or completing their extracurricular activities. Holding down the fort is our Director of College Guidance, Mrs. Eva Hefter, who juggles the seniors’ demands with those of the juniors looking to get into the action.

This week DRS seniors and juniors eagerly listened to presentations from admissions officers of New York University, The Cooper Union and The University of Pennsylvania. Each discussed what makes their campus unique, both for the curriculum and student life. The highlight of the week’s activities was a presentation by Mr. Michael Kranzler, Director of Admissions at Yeshiva University, who addressed our Seniors and their parents. Mr. Kranzler provided an insight into the outstanding YU curriculum and campus life and stayed long after the program to answer specific questions. When we asked Mrs. Hefter what she expects will be the highlight in the next few weeks, she answered, on the run, “Letters of recommendation, I hope”. Ktivah Ve’Chatimah Tovah from College Guidance!

By Yitzi Diskind, 10th grade

This past Sunday, five boys from DRS went to help out at the Jewish National Fund’s annual Green Sunday Campaign. Participating in the drive were sophomores Yitzi Diskind and Eli Wein, as well as Juniors Gavi Unger, Josh Maslow and Kivi Schwartz. The boys, along with the other volunteers, were given lists of people who previously donated money to the Jewish National Fund, and then were given the task to call each of them and ask for donations. One volunteer said that "It was really nice to do such a great chesed for such a great organization."

The volunteers from DRS worked especially hard, some staying for hours on end. The day after the telethon the volunteers were informed that in that one day over $50,000 was raised! The Jewish National Fund works very hard on behalf of Israel, including the planting of trees, making reservoirs and other means of water collection, and creating bypass security roads, while also having recently helped out with the hurricane Katrina disaster. We look forward to getting even more volunteers next year for the Green Sunday Campaign.

Last Tuesday, the Junior Varsity basketball team took some time off from their pre-season conditioning to relax and bond together at a team barbeque. The event, held at Head Coach Jared Solomon’s home, was a lively affair, with swimming, lots of great food, a d’var Torah by Coach Solomon, and a special presentation by guest speaker Mr. Kenny Sicklick. The team had a great time, and is looking forward to beginning the season.