Benjy  Blumenthal, Grade 12

What the Academy Means to Me

Besides from learning many things at Ida Crown Jewish Academy, my biggest accomplishment is being on the baseball team. Back in eighth grade, when people asked me where I was going to school, I said Ida Crown. I said Ida Crown because of its Jewish education and learning experience and its baseball team, which attracted me even more.

 Freshman year there was a sign posted that said "BASEBALL TRYOUTS THIS SUNDAY." This made me excited to be an Ida Crown student. After tryouts, each participant had a private meeting with the coach. Some people left with smiles and some with tears. I wanted to come out with a smile. When I entered the coach's office, he had a serious face and I quickly became more nervous than I already was. When I took a seat, I saw a huge grin on his face and he said, "Congratulations Benjy!" At the meeting, he gave me advice that has been with me throughout high school. He told me, "Benjy, I am glad to have you on the team, but you have to work hard and put a lot of time to become a regularly playing player.”

That first season I received minimal playing time, but I remembered what he said. During the summer I received lessons from Coach Newman, primarily on pitching, but also other baseball fundamentals. Sophomore year, I received an increase in playing time, but still I was still not a regularl player. Again during the summer I worked out with my coach and put a lot of effort toward baseball. This season, junior year, I had the chance to play almost every game, and be the starting pitcher in most of the games. Then I remembered what Coach had said and felt proud of myself. Although I know that I still have to work hard to get better, I was proud to reach my goal. During this season I was named co-captain of the baseball team and was also awarded a spot on the all-tournament team at the Columbus Baseball Invitational.

With Hashem's help, I was able to accomplish my goal, including a great Torah education.