Our 2021 Valedictorians Speeches
As a school that teaches four languages, it is a treasured Bialik graduation tradition to hear addresses in each language from our four valedictorians at our Graduation Ceremonies.
Kol Hakavod to Katie Ossip, Yiddish Valedictorian, Corey Bensky, French Valedictorian, Jacob Mann, Hebrew Valedictorian and Abby Mandelcorn, English Valedictorian. We are proud to share excerpts of their inspiring words for the Class of 2021 below.
“If I’ve learned anything from my years at Bialik, it’s that challenges make you stronger, and we can get through anything together. Bialik has instilled in us a love for Israel, Menschlichkeit, and a strong Jewish identity. So I challenge this incredible class with a responsibility of our own. We must remember these Jewish values and keep them close to our hearts, as they are the foundations we will need as future leaders to remain strong and vocal for our people. Now more than ever. “
-Abby Mandelcorn, English Valedictorian Listen to her full speech.
דורך די יידישע ליטעראַטור האָבן מיר געלערנט אין ביאַליק שולע זייער אַסך וויכטיקע לעקציעס, ווי למשל: צו זייַן אַ מענטש דורך עמפּאַטיע און מצוות
The Yiddish poets and writers we study at Bialik teach us how to be leaders and changemakers through their inspiring words. My fellow graduates, it is especially important for us to stand up for peace in the state of Israel and the safety of the Jewish people living in the diaspora. It is our job as the future generation to educate the world about the Holocaust and to teach people about Israel and our Jewish traditions. Bialik has provided us with the necessary skills to achieve this.”
-Katie Ossip, Yiddish Valedictorian Listen to her full speech.
“J’ai participé à de nombreux clubs à Bialik. L’un des clubs auxquels j’ai participé était le club Me to We. Nous avons appris à connaître les communautés pauvres et comment aider l’environnement. Aussi, je suis allé à la journée “Me To We” à l’arène Scotiabank, où beaucoup de célébrités et d’orateurs nous ont parlé de la façon dont nous pouvons faire un impact. Je crois vraiment que chacun d’entre nous peut faire une différence dans ce monde.
I took part in many clubs at Bialik. One of the clubs I participated in was the Me To We club. We learned about communities in poverty and ways we can help the environment. I also got to go to a Me To We Day at Scotiabank Arena where many famous celebrities and speakers spoke to us about how we can have an impact. I truly believe that each and every one of us can make a difference in this world.”
-Corey Bensky, French Valedictorian Listen to his full speech.
לְאֹרֶךְ הַשָּׁנִים שֶׁלִּי בְּבֵית סֵפֶר “ביאליק” הַמּוֹרִים שֶׁלִּי לִמְּדוּ אוֹתִי לִפְתֹּר בְּעָיוֹת וְלַעֲבֹד עִם הַחֲבֵרִים שֶׁלִּי בְּיַחַד. תָּמִיד לַעֲבֹד בַּקְּבוּצָה עִם הַחֲבֵרִים שֶׁלִּי בְּכִתָּה וְגַם עִם תַּלְמִידִים מִכִּתּוֹת אֲחֵרוֹת
For eight years, Bialik has instilled in me so many important values that have shaped who I am today. One of the most important values I have learned is that of perseverance — to never give up. Throughout my years at Bialik, my teachers have coached me to problem-solve and work with my peers in collaboration. I have been encouraged to work as a team, both with my classmates and with students from other grades as well.”
–Jacob Mann, Hebrew Valedictorian Listen to his full speech.
