Summer Snapshots: See What Two JCHS Students Have Been Up To

Student 1: Ella Brody

This summer, I went through a major life event: jaw surgery. What was this surgery and why was it so life changing for me? It all started back in 9th grade when I had my braces removed, and I was so excited. At first, everything seemed perfectly normal. A few months later, follow-up scans showed that my bite was “open,” and, surprisingly, I was missing half of my jaw. It turns out I have a condition called idiopathic condylar resorption, a rare joint disorder where the jaw joints break down and are reabsorbed into the body. The process to get surgery was long. Two years ago, during 10th grade Culture Days, I had to leave in the middle of the day to see an oral surgeon who confirmed I needed surgery. What was supposed to be an easy and common procedure turned out to be more complex; it required me to travel to Texas for surgery. Leading up to the surgery, I was excited and not nervous at all (my friends and family were more anxious than I was). The surgery took place on June 25th. I had to be at the hospital at 5 a.m., and after meeting the doctors and anesthesiologist, I was ready for the procedure. One breath in, and I was out like a light. The surgery consisted of breaking my top jaw, bottom jaw, and chin and moving them around, putting prosthetic joints in my face. That’s not all though- the surgeons also had to take fat from my stomach to put in my face to hold the prosthetic joints together. The recovery was tough. I stayed in Texas for two weeks, slowly recovering. When I got home, however, the recovery process was not over; I had a hard time walking and showering for a while, and since then I have not been able to eat solid foods. I will also be dealing with swelling in my face that will last for a year. It was challenging, but the surgery was necessary, and I’m glad to be on the other side of it, even though I'm still in the recovery process.This experience defined my summer in a way I never expected, but it also showed me how strong I can be.

Student 2: Joseph Levi 

This summer was one of the most eventful I have ever had. I spent three weeks at the University of Miami, taking a credited summer course on Business, Law, and Society. It was my first real taste of college life. I lived in the dorms and I went to college classes. Being surrounded by students from all over the world, I made some great friends and learned a lot—especially what I do and do not want to study in college. The experience taught me the importance of being self-reliant for two reasons: one, because I was living away from home for the first time, and two, I got strep throat during finals in the program. It was my first time being sick and not having someone help me. I was on antibiotics, yet I still had to study and work on my finals, which was very difficult. After the course ended, I had a few days at home before going to Washington, D.C., for an unforgettable experience. Before that, we stopped in Philadelphia and saw the Liberty Bell (no big deal), then we drove to D.C, where I had the honor of being invited to attend the speech by Prime Minister Netanyahu addressing Congress about Israel. While in the Capitol, I got to walk around the underground tunnels, which have a Dunkin' Donuts in them. The speech itself was incredible and won the record for the most standing ovations by a foreign leader in Congress (58). I had the unique opportunity to meet Noa Argamani, a former hostage, and the families of several people still held hostage. It was a powerful and moving experience that I will never forget. This summer taught me a lot about independence, responsibility, and the importance of staying informed about the world. It was an incredible experience that has shaped my view on both my education and my future.