Congratulations to PJA Class of 2020 #PJAProud
Jett Barker graduated from International School of Beaverton. He spent his junior year of high school on a study abroad program in Argentina. Outside of school, he worked as a valet attendant. Jett plans on studying Business at Colorado State University in the fall.
Arava Barnett graduated from St. Mary’s Academy. She participated in aerial arts throughout her four years of high school. Arava will be attending Montana State University, where she plans on majoring in nursing.
EthanBerkson-Klaus graduated from Cleveland High School where he was a captain of the cross country team, ran track, and founded a robotics club. Ethan and his friends designed and built a battle bot and competed in a local competition where their robot got demolished. During the summers, Ethan worked at PJA Summer Discovery. Ethan will attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (California Polytechnic State University) where he will study computer engineering.
Isaac Cissna graduated from Oregon Episcopal School where he was a Policy Board Representative, and was on the JV soccer and tennis teams. Outside of school, Isaac volunteered at Blanchet House, an opportunity that he first experienced through PJA’s service learning program. He also had an internship at Brandlive. Isaac will attend Johns Hopkins University, majoring in computer science.
Noah Cohen graduated from Riverdale High School. He spent his four years of high school playing guitar, participating in Mock Trial, Jewish Student Union and No Place for Hate. He has been an Outdoor School Camp counselor and an MJCC Summer Day Camp counselor. Noah is a member of the National Honor Society. He will be attending University of Michigan in the fall and is excited about moving to campus in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Hadassa Gordon-Knight (Dassi) graduated from Northwest Academy where she was a leader in the Jewish Student Union.
Dassi is a competitive dancer at Lake Oswego Academy of Dance. She also works as a dance teacher there and works as a teacher in the Shaarie Torah religious school. She will attend Hofstra University in Long Island, NY to study dance education with the goal of one day opening her own dance studio.
Jemma Katcher graduated from Jesuit High School where she played on the soccer team and was the co-founder and leader of the Jewish Student Union. Outside of school, she had an internship, a paid job, and still found time to volunteer. Jemma earned enough volunteer hours to enter the 201 Club at Jesuit HS, an award given to students who achieve 200 plus hours of service work. In the fall, Jemma will be attending Loyola Marymount University.
Lia Komitor graduated from Lake Oswego High School where she was on the varsity soccer and varsity softball teams and participated in the Red Cross Club. Lia is a member of both the National Honor Society and National Art Honor Society. In the fall, she will attend the University of Oregon with plans to study human physiology.
Liana Kressel graduated from Ida B. Wells High School where she was a varsity tennis player, layout editor of the yearbook, and secretary of the Key Club. Liana participated in BBYO, volunteered at the Hillsdale Farmers Market, and worked at a bakery stand at the PSU Farmers Market. Liana shares her own culinary creations @inlianaskitchen on Instagram. She will attend Occidental College with plans to major in Urban & Environmental Policy and minor in Public Health and Food Studies. Liana and her sister Sylvie were both valedictorians at Ida B. Wells High School.
Sylvie Kressel graduated from Ida B. Wells High School where she was an all-season athlete: soccer, cross country, swimming, track and field, and tennis. She was also in two school choirs, as the alto section leader, Co-president of Key Club, Vice President of DECA, and the lead actress in the spring musical junior year. She worked as a lifeguard at the Wells swimming pool. Sylvie will attend Davidson College in North Carolina, majoring in psychology. Sylvie and her sister Liana were both valedictorians at Ida B. Wells High School.
Kai La Forte graduated from Grant High School where he participated in Mock Trial, Constitution Team, Royal Blues Chamber Choir, and the track and field and cross country teams.
Outside of school, Kai worked as a lifeguard and calculus tutor. In his spare time (!), he is composing a double concerto for two violinists.
In the fall, Kai will attend Brown University. He plans on studying International and Public Affairs.
Mira Litt graduated from St. Mary’s Academy where she was an active participant in Marian Singers, Tri-M National Music Honor Society, WOCA (Women of Color in Action), JSU (Jewish Student Union), APIC (Asian Pacific Islanders Club), Theater (One Acts Festival), Leadership for Junior Encounter, Art Club, and Philosophy Club! Next year, she will be attending the University of Washington. She is looking forward to delving deeper into her passion for art and participating in club sports and Jewish community.
Eli Mandel-Klein graduated from Riverdale High School where he participated in No Place for Hate, was a soccer and track athlete, and was a Student Board Representative. Eli worked as a camp counselor at MJCC Summer Day Camp in the summers. He will attend the University of British Columbia in the fall.
WeiLai Nathan graduated from Lincoln High School where she was the President of the Jewish Student Union, a Cardinal Ambassador, a tutor in the Writing Center, a No Place for Hate Advocate, and a Constitution Team Member.
WeiLai received an International Baccalaureate Diploma and the Seal of Biliteracy Medal, and she was a member of the National Honor Society. Next year, WeiLai will be an exchange student in Madrid, Spain, after which she plans to attend college.
Jordan Norman graduated from Sunset High School where he was a member of the golf team. Jordan will attend Santa Clara University to study Accounting. Jordan thanks PJA for preparing him to thrive in high school. He notes that PJA helped him become a confident student with a strong work ethic and interpersonal skills.
Abigail Rogson graduated from Lake Oswego High School where she joined the National Thespian Society and was a crew member on several school theater productions. Throughout high school, Abby continued her horseback riding every week, and interned at the stables for a week during the summer.
Abby will be attending Oregon State University as a BioHealth major.
Seth Rosenfeld graduated from Catlin Gabel School where he participated in the Dungeons & Dragons Club, soccer, and track and field. He was also involved in Oregon Community Youth Foundation (OJCYF), worked in the summers as a BB Camp Counselor, and interned this spring at PJA. Seth will attend Brandeis University in the fall.
Carmel Shriki graduated from Riverdale High School where she participated in No Place for Hate, the Red Cross Club, cross country and track, and was the President of the Jewish Student Union. She also continued to play piano. In the fall, Carmel will be attending the Clark Honors College at University of Oregon studying Cognitive Neuroscience with plans to minor in either writing or music.
Naama Shuall graduated from Mountainside High School. She participated in Speech and Debate, eventually becoming President of the team. She was also a council member on the Principal’s Diversity Board. Outside of school, Naama worked as a Hebrew teacher at Congregation Neveh Shalom, and worked for the Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District. Naama will be attending Lewis and Clark College in the pre-law pathway, majoring in political science and philosophy.
Solei Silva-Carin graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy, a college preparatory residential school in New Hampshire. Solei was the Editor-In-Chief of the yearbook, captain of the cheerleading team, the step team, and the belly dancing team. During her high school years, she interned at a law firm and at a nonprofit organization. Solei’s next step will be attending college, either at Columbia University or University of Michigan.
Lavi
Swartzbaer graduated from Edison High School where he was on the track and field team and student council. He received the student of the year award in Earth Science and the Crusaders award for track. Lavi will be attending Oregon State University in the fall.