Color War and More
Chaim Lanner is the Associate Principal of Katz Yeshiva High School of South Florida. Rabbi Lanner has been instrumental in overseeing both the academic and non-academic divisions at KYHS, and is also a beloved Rebbe, inspiring his 10th-grade honors Gemara shiur with unwavering dedication and passion.
Picture, if you will, an entire school eagerly gathered in one room. Nearly 600 people—students, faculty, and staff—all charged with excitement for what is to come after months of waiting and wondering. It’s a moment when the energy explodes, the building comes alive, and lifelong memories are created. At Katz Yeshiva High School of South Florida, we have a name for this event: Stormania.
More than merely a series of games comprising the highly anticipated annual Color War competition, Stormania is a celebration and demonstration of everything we stand for. This multi-day signature event brings students and faculty together in a vibrant display of school pride, Jewish heritage, and community spirit. Featuring varied challenges designed to ensure that participants with disparate strengths and interests can all contribute equally and meaningfully, Stormania is an immersive experience that reshapes how students see their school, themselves, and each other.
The student body is divided into two teams, each assigned a color and a Jewish theme. With the standard dress code suspended in the name of Stormania spirit, students proudly don school-issued t-shirts that represent their respective teams. For the next 2.5 days, all grades participate in an array of challenges that test their athletic ability, intellectual capacity, and creative talent. The event culminates in a grand finale at which the entire school reassembles to enjoy the concluding presentations and enthusiastically cheer at the announcement of the winning team.
During these extraordinary days, the entire campus undergoes an existential transformation. Hundreds of students simultaneously follow a packed, painstakingly plotted schedule of events ranging from active competitions like relay races and traditional sports matches to creative challenges like mural painting and poetry composition. The expansive grassy fields, typically a setting for leisurely lunches and study sessions, turn into lively arenas for football, volleyball, and baseball. Classrooms become team headquarters. Teachers venture out from behind their desks to assume roles as referees, scorekeepers, and judges. The grounds are brightly bedecked with our school colors.
The transformations that stand out most, however, are those of our students. In accordance with the school’s broader academic goals, Stormania emphasizes their academic, social, emotional, and spiritual development, inspiring them to breach their perceived boundaries and discover untapped abilities and strengths.
Each year, for example, specific students from every grade are selected to take on leadership positions that require them to monitor, mentor, and motivate their peers. They learn firsthand that humility, hard work, and a helpful spirit are more effective than a job title when it comes to earning the respect of their team. Other students stretch themselves by engaging in activities they’ve never attempted or challenging themselves to the point of discomfort, whether by working on a group project under tight time constraints, battling fatigue during a race, or simply doing something that previously scared them. Through these experiences, students learn how to handle stress, recover from setbacks, and embrace the struggles that will shape them into resilient adults.
It also provides opportunities for students who otherwise don’t shine to have their special moments. One of our students is a brilliant young man who often struggles with social interactions. He usually stays in his comfort zone—quietly sitting alone, absorbed in his own world, while his creative mind works tirelessly. Each year during Stormania, we host a hidon, a high-stakes competition where students face a series of questions based on that year’s Stormania theme. Unsurprisingly, this young man was chosen by his team to represent them in the fierce contest.
As the hidon neared its final round, the atmosphere in the room began to shift. It was no longer just about answering questions—it was about him. The students now found themselves chanting his name in unison. He had become the center of their focus. The room, electric with energy and anticipation, was collectively holding its breath, watching this young man defy every expectation. Even members of the opposing team, swept up in the magic of the moment, found themselves silently rooting for him.
What had begun as a mere competition had transformed into something much more profound. This was his moment—a rare and beautiful instance where he was seen not for his struggles or differences, but for his brilliance, his resilience, and the quiet strength that had always been there. In that room, during that fleeting yet precious moment, he wasn’t just another student—he was our hero.
In addition to promoting personal growth, Stormania encourages collaboration across grades. Its strategic design gives students who would not typically interact the chance to build connections that extend beyond the classroom. The shared experiences of competing and celebrating create a sense of camaraderie that transcends age and level. As Stormania draws to a close, the friendships it has forged are only just beginning.
Faculty members also play a central part by stepping outside their instructional positions, not just to be organizers or facilitators, but to be coaches and cheerleaders. Although they evaluate student performances, they also work directly with students throughout the preparatory process to reinforce character-building values and offer guidance and support. Witnessing and championing students’ creativity, passion, and problem-solving skills outside the classroom creates meaningful connections and fosters mutual respect.
Far more important than helping students understand themselves as individuals is helping them understand their unique place in the Jewish community. Integral to the Stormania experience is the incorporation of Jewish culture and history. Trivia questions explore holidays, historical figures, and important moments in the Jewish diaspora. Team cheers, songs, and banners feature Hebrew phrases and lyrics as well as references to biblical texts and Torah teachings. This thematic focus not only reinforces students’ academic learning but also deepens their connection to their Jewish heritage in an interactive, engaging way. Coupled with the special shiurim on the schedule, these elements remind our students that although Stormania provides the perfect complement to the rigors of the regular academic year, Talmud Torah is a core value from which we will never even temporarily depart.
Stormania has become more than just a beloved yearly event; it has evolved into a defining tradition that encapsulates everything our school stands for—character, community, Jewish pride, leadership, respect, and, of course, inspiring and challenging our students. The lasting impact of Stormania is evident in the legacy it creates. Students fondly reflect on their experiences for years to come, ultimately returning as alumni to share their memories with future generations. It strengthens the bonds that underlie our strong, spirited community—one to which every student, teacher, and staff member can feel proud to belong.
Chaim Lanner is the Associate Principal of Katz Yeshiva High School of South Florida. Rabbi Lanner has been instrumental in overseeing both the academic and non-academic divisions at KYHS, and is also a beloved Rebbe, inspiring his 10th-grade honors Gemara shiur with unwavering dedication and passion.
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