We Asked Y(O)U Answered: What Are Your 2024 Highlights and 2025 Goals?
As we turn the page to the new year, we tend to look back on the past 12 months. One single year can bring unprecedented growth, great achievements and incredible memories that can last a lifetime. 2024 was undeniably a year to remember, marked by a solar eclipse, the continuous war in Israel and bondage of our hostages, the Summer Olympics, the presidential election and many more events. Welcoming the start of a new year is always a great time to reflect back on the highlights but more importantly, use it to look forward, set new goals and challenge ourselves to even greater heights. The Commentator asked students to share their highlights from 2024 and what they hope to accomplish in the year to come.
Francesca Sonbolian (SCW ‘27)
“One of my highlights from 2024 was my research internship in a behavioral oncology lab that I started this summer. It has given me the chance to explore medicine from a clinical perspective and I’ve really enjoyed my experience there. Another highlight of 2024 has been all the study sessions I’ve hosted in my dorm. I always joke that my room is the study and snack hub and I love having the opportunity to bond with my friends. In 2025, I’m looking forward to nurturing good friendships and lots of simchas BZ”H!”
Yechiel Amar (YC ‘26)
“I think concerning YU, my highlights would have to be creating a body of work over the year on the digital portfolio made in First Year Writing and MCing the open mic this past December. I guess for next year I’m looking forward to creating more works of writing and enjoying time with my friends who are graduating seniors.”
Linda Cohen (SCW ‘27)
“Wow. What a year! 2024 has been packed with so many amazing moments, it’s hard to pinpoint the best ones. One memory that definitely stands out was marching through the streets of Jerusalem, dancing and singing with Jews and Israelis on Yom Yerushalayim. I’ve never felt more part of Am Yisrael, part of something so much greater than myself. That was definitely a highlight of 2024 for me. This coming year, I’m really looking forward to making memories with new friends and hoping to be able to push myself every day to be the best version of myself that I can be.”
Sam Weinberg (YC ‘25)
“A highlight for me in 2024 was taking part in the Stomp Out the Stigma event in February. It was such a rewarding experience for me and it meant a lot to hear how the event and my involvement in it was received by fellow students. I’m excited about making the most of my last few months as a student in YU and to begin the next stages of my life as a post-grad!”
Adin Blumofe (YC ‘25)
“When asking what you want to achieve next year, many people will talk about career, school, etc., but about your service of God? I want to finish the Tractate of Sanhedrin, which I have been working on whenever I get spare time for the longest time. One of my highlights from 2024 was founding the Talmudic Cooking Club. We research cooking and learn about foods found in the Talmuds.”
Ali Cohen (SCW ‘26)
“In 2024 I got a lot of clarity in many different areas of my life and that gave me a lot of peace of mind and direction. My highlights all involve times that I spent with loved ones and family. This year I hope to grow in my middos and as an eved Hashem. I hope that I can successfully build new relationships as well as grow the ones I already have. B’’H, I have a lot to look forward to this year!”
___
Photo Caption: 2025 has recently begun, and YU students are reflecting on the year behind us.
Photo Credit: Jametlene Reskp / Unsplash
