by Raziel Siegman ('17) On Wednesday, the senior class had the privilege of hearing from Ellen Newman on the topic of exertional heat strokes. Mrs. Newman's son, Ariel Yitzchak Newman a"h, graduated from MTA in 2014 and like most of his peers, went to spend the year learning in Israel. A week after yeshiva started, they went on a multi-day hike, from which Ariel suffered an exertional heat stroke and passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Newman now spend much of their time informing others, specifically seniors in high school planning to spend a year in Israel, about the risk that heat presents, and how to prevent illness or heat stroke. One of the points that Mrs. Newman dwelled on was how it takes at least two weeks for our bodies to acclimate to the extreme change in climate from travelling to Israel, and one should make sure not to go on any hike until then. Most importantly though, is to drink water, and lots of it. Whether or not one feels thirsty or the water is not cold, one must always be sure to drink at least half a liter of water per hour. Additional precautionary measures that Mrs. Newman described are being well rested, not hiking mid-day and wearing proper clothing. Mrs. Newman's presentation was important to the MTA seniors, the vast majority of whom are planning to on taking a gap year in Israel, as a heat stroke is very dangerous, but quite easy to prevent as long as one is informed of the proper precautionary measures that need to be taken. For a more detailed list of heat stroke prevention and preparedness, as well as other related information, visit arielschecklist.com.