Theme days kick off March, and hoops too

Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway High School welcomed March, and the Jewish month of Adar, with festive programs, unique themed days and intense sporting events.

The month of Adar is an exciting time. It is when the holiday of Purim is observed. Purim is a celebration of the Jewish people’s victory over those who attempted to exterminate them.

Purim commemorates these events and is a time of joy, celebration, and festivities. It is in this spirit that HAFTR held “Decades Day,” followed by “Anything but a Backpack Day” and continued with the girls’ varsity basketball semifinals.

On March 3, students took part in “Decades Day,” where each grade dressed up in the style of a specific decade. The freshmen were assigned the 1990s, and students could be seen sporting grunge-style flannel shirts, overalls and fun animal prints.

Sophomores covered the 1950s, with the girls wearing big skirts and white shirts with carefully combed back hair. The juniors brought back the groovy 1970s, dressing in tie-dye shirts and eccentric patterns.

The seniors represented the 1980s, flaunting scrunchies, big hair, and bright colors. Lastly, the faculty donned outfits from colonial times. Everyone enjoyed walking around the school and getting a blast from the past with all the entertaining outfits.

The following day students participated in “Anything but a Backpack Day,” which encouraged students to bring their books to school in anything except a backpack.

The student body and faculty displayed tremendous creativity, with the most absurd items brought as a replacement for their usual backpacks.

Students brought a wide array of objects including a sled, garbage pail, janitor mop bucket, stroller, cooler, garbage bag, skateboard, and even a wheelbarrow!

The most unforgettable item had to be a pink toy car driven by junior AnnaRuth Boxer. HAFTR students had the best day bringing their wacky items to all of their classes in place of their everyday bags.

The excitement continued as the girls’ varsity basketball team, the Lady Hawks, advanced to the playoffs. The team boasted a strong regular season 11-1 record. After winning the first playoff game against Salanter Akiba Riverdale Academy, HAFTR advance to a semifinal against The Frisch School.

ith such a high-stakes game, tension spread across the entire gymnasium while everyone watched the game play out. The score was close the entire time, with several lead changes. Even though Frisch was up by 10 points in the third quarter, the Lady Hawks continued playing hard. Megan Spivak made some exceptional shots, and Ruthee Rosner played intense defense.

The Lady Hawks showed teamwork and passion and fought hard for the lead. With everyone sitting on the edge of their seats, the Lady Hawks rallied and won 60-56.

It was a great game and we are all excited to see the Lady Hawks take on Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls for the championship in a game between a couple of Five Towns schools. And HAFTR was victorious defeating SKA for the crown.
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ll of these events were a huge success, and HAFTR students look forward to more memorable days ahead.