Maimonides School

Mazel Tov to Valedictorian Amalya F. and Salutatorian Akiva H., whose thoughtful words at Commencement reflected the wisdom, character, and purpose that define a Maimonides education. 🎓✨ Their speeches are a testament to the remarkable students they have become and the bright futures that lie ahead. 💙

Here's a translation of Amalya's speech:
Good morning and thank you all for joining us today at this year’s commencement ceremony.
I’d like to begin by acknowledging what an extraordinary year this has been. In the fall, many of us headed into senior year with big plans for an easy couple months characterized by senioritis; however, for many, 2026 has been the busiest year yet. Therefore, I would like to extend a thank you to family members both present and absent today--parents, siblings, grandparents, and extended family members--without whom our journey and achievements over these past four years would not have been possible. I would also like to acknowledge teachers, faculty, administrators, custodians, and other members of the staff who have transformed this building into a place of both Jewish and secular knowledge and discovery. Thank you to our amazing members of student council--our grade representatives and presidents--who have worked tirelessly to extend to us experiences that we will never forget. We know it has not been easy, especially after the unexpected departure of our previous student life director, and are extremely grateful for your efforts. And most importantly, thank you Class of 2026 for the friendships, lessons, and unforgettable memories that you have created.
Last year, I was presented with the 2025 Yale Book Award. I found out on the bus ride home from a softball game, dirt caked on my uniform and still buzzing with the excitement of the recent win. However, when I arrived at school the following morning to pick up my certificate, I was disconcerted. The award was contained within a small hardcover book titled In Praise of Floods by James C. Scott. I could not manage to wrap my head around that title, around the obvious contradiction within it. How could those two words, “praise” and “flood,” exist at once? How can you place a symbol of destruction and unpredictability as a subject of praise?
Upon reading the book, I found my answer. Scott argues that the very floods we fear and try to contain actually serve a beneficial purpose: floods carry massive amounts of organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorous, which fertilize land and sustain human, animal, and other living forms; flooded plains create warm, safe habitats for many river fish to lay their eggs; moving water helps spread seeds for germination throughout damp, fertile soil; and floods clean the landscape, flushing out silt, decaying matter, and invasive plant species. Indeed, Scott reveals that human interventions to control these floods through dams and levees can serve more harm to rivers and natural environments than good.
Suddenly the title that initially captivated me was brought to light. To some, a river is a rigid, non changing line on the map; therefore, floods are disruptions and must be avoided. However, as illustrated by Scott, rivers need a bit of stress to survive. What might seem destructive at first is actually what is holding the natural landscape together.
I am speaking about floods because I believe that a river is exactly what each of us here today should embody. Often, we seek well-defined paths in life, ones that are guaranteed to lead us to success. We constantly compare our progress to others, measuring achievements against societal expectations and norms. Moreover, when things do not go to plan, frustration, disconnection, and a sense of failure may develop. I’m guilty of that too, of expecting things to go exactly as planned, and of nearly giving up when I fail to achieve a desired outcome. However, In Praise of Floods has taught me that life is often a messy path, filled with unprecedented twists and challenging moments. Remember--a river is not just a straight line on a map, but a system of tributaries and ecosystems that are constantly adapting and changing. Therefore, if you insist on adhering to a single path, how will you discover all you are capable of achieving?
This year, I have grown in ways I never imagined possible. Highschoolers at Maimonides may be aware of the “Adopt a Bubbie” club I proudly run with my friend Becca. This club endeavors to introduce highschoolers to residents at Hebrew Senior Life in Brookline through monthly visits filled with arts and crafts, games, and connection. For years, I had considered bringing this club to Maimonides, but had thought it hopeless due to my shy and--I’ll admit-- occasionally awkward nature. Starting that club pushed me to previously inconceivable levels, lending me skills in public speaking that aided me in college interviews, scientific research presentations, and in my address to you all today. Looking back, I realize that the experience of running that club has opened a new channel in my life. It has made me a more well rounded and confident friend, daughter, community member, and student. A challenge that I had initially viewed as dangerous and unattainable became an experience that I will cherish for years to come.
So, Class of 2026, I will leave you with this message: embrace unpredictability, challenge yourself, and push yourself out of your comfort zone. Be like a river, constantly changing, with hundreds of separate channels and tributaries, each serving a unique purpose. As a favorite author of mine, Fyodr Dostoevsky, said in his novel Crime and Punishment, “Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most.” The unknown can be frightening and it may be easier to remain stagnant, but then again, the possible outcomes become endless when you resolve to test your limits. Class of 2026: I have never been more excited for our futures, and I cannot wait to see what we all achieve in the coming years and how our personalities, capabilities, and confidence will continue to grow. Thank you.