<p>[Renaissance</a> Teens With Purpose | Cover Story | Jewish Journal](<a href=“http://www.jewishjournal.com/cover_story/article/renaissance_teens_with_purpose_20090603/]Renaissance”>http://www.jewishjournal.com/cover_story/article/renaissance_teens_with_purpose_20090603/)</p>
<p>"With a touch of awe, we present our annual sampling of outstanding high school seniors. This year’s graduating class includes artists, performers and young entrepreneurs, some of whom have raised many thousands of dollars for people across the globe, reached out to Muslims and Latinos and advocated for the oppressed worldwide. They’ve helped pass state legislation, overcome their own disabilities, ranked statewide in sports and earned national recognition for journalism.</p>
<p>And they have done this all with an underlying belief that with a sense of responsibility and some empowerment, they can change the world. </p>
<p>If what the world needs now is a belief that there are people out there who can — who will — create a better future, we need look no further than the class of 2009.</p>
<p>Samson (Sammy) Schatz : President-in-Training</p>
<p>by Orit Arfa, Contributing Writer</p>
<p>Samson (Sammy) Schatz has always said he wants to be president. “I don’t know if I really want that, or if that’s what I say, but I kind of do,” the Milken Community High School senior said. Whether or not he ever reaches the highest office in the land, he’s already gotten a good start at leadership — and if he does land the job, Israel is assured of having a great, intimate friend.</p>
<p>Last year the Milken student-body president spoke at the installation of the Israel flag at the Israeli consulate on Wilshire Boulevard, and earlier this year he introduced the AIPAC board at the committee’s national conference in Washington, not the first one he has attended. He won — a few times — the award for “best delegate” at the Model United Nations conferences, where he represented Cuba, Ukraine, Japan and, of course, Israel.</p>
<p>Entering Princeton in the fall, he intends to continue his involvement with Israel advocacy, with an eye toward attending the prestigious Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. A skilled orator and debater, he will take the podium again when he gives his speech as Milken’s valedictorian. . . . (continued)</p>
<p>Daniel Toker: Just Do It</p>
<p>by Jason Lipeles, Contributing Writer</p>
<p>When most of his friends left for camps over the summer, Daniel Toker, 17, stayed home to work on his mystery/fantasy novel about a man who is killed by Greek gods. Daniel, who reads three hours a day on average, looks forward to growing as a writer at Princeton University. </p>
<p>Even if the course load is heavy, he has no doubt that he can accomplish anything that he sets his mind to. This year, for instance, he took five Advance Placement classes each semester. “I’ve always had this kind of determination. I see a future goal, and I work to it,” Daniel said, “I don’t care how hard it is or how long it takes — I just do it.” </p>
<p>In the eighth grade, Daniel set goals to be an all-star student, finish his second novel, learn a foreign language and become the lead in a school play by the end of his senior year of high school. Amazingly, he accomplished all of these goals and more. . . . (continued)</p>
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<p>Congratulations Sammy and Daniel!</p>