My name is Eliyahu and I am in the 11th grade. I made Aliyah from Ethiopia at age 4.
I am a student at Ben Yakir since 7th grade.

My year was great. Everything was different than the previous years.

This year the food at the village improved a lot. My relationships with my staff were much better.
I feel that this year I grew up, made a change, got in trouble less than before. I truly transformed myself.

As far as the group, it was my best year yet. We had lots of laughs; everybody was helping each other out in any way possible. We were together, unified. We kept each other's' backs.

I especially remember a BBQ night we had with the group. I also remember the field trip we took to Eilat. We bonded with the kids and friends. We took many trips in the desert. We got to know the city of Eilat.

With the staff, we had many conversations about the army; we heard a lot of battle stories and learned from them.

I really like the high school I go to. This year studies were much easier. I received a lot of help from the soldier-teachers that volunteered in our village - with personal tutoring and more. They would sit down with us and explain to us, and afterwards the lesson was much easier.
My favorite part of the day was the afternoon - when we came back from school, took a nap, got some rest.
 
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This year I was chosen as an excellent student from my group. I was so excited and happy. I felt that I really made a change, that I have grown up. That I am not the same Eliyahu. I was truly happy to receive this honor.

A person that influenced me this year is Rachel, the soldier-teacher that served in my group. Rachel helped me and supported me. From her giving, I have learned that helping people is also important and good, and not only to receive.

I wish to myself, for next year, that it will go easily. That I will graduate from the 12th grade with good accomplishments.

I wish all of my friends good luck.