I see the strength of KIS lies in its mission and its unity in diversity. My family and I are excited and looking forward to joining the KIS community in July. I look forward to meeting you all as the opportunity arises.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Principal's Message
I see the strength of KIS lies in its mission and its unity in diversity. My family and I are excited and looking forward to joining the KIS community in July. I look forward to meeting you all as the opportunity arises.
Vice Principal's update
Immediately after the long weekend the pace of academics became hectic… of course we have weekend activities such as the ‘Formal’ and Kodai Basketball Open Tournament to provide the balance! For the IB Diploma students it meant preparation and completion of English HL/SL and Hindi IB Orals. October was also the month when students from grades 9-12 took the PSAT and SAT examinations respectively, followed by the ACT examinations.
Alongside, college applications were being processed, especially the UCAS applications - filling of application forms, writing the college essays and securing the recommendation letters. The Careers and College office has its hands full as the Class of 2010 has 138 students making it the largest senior class in the history of KIS and the largest number to sit the May 2010 IB examinations.
The High School office was busy with “staffing” in order to ensure that all those who need keeping on track are being closely monitored. The online attendance of students is working well and is showing positive results in efficiently managing student attendance.
I am indeed grateful to the music department for working over-time in preparing the students for the RSM examinations. With the sudden departure of one of their faculty members, the department rallied together to ensure that our music students are well prepared for these examinations.
On the sidelines, our basketball teams are getting set to take part in the Ooty inter school tournament now re-scheduled to November. KIS came second in the recent Kodai Open Basketball tournament (see article).
Tectronics held an Interschool Robotics Junior competition in Bangalore and the KIS team came first in the southern zone category. Our congratulations go out to Min-Gyu Lee and Alan Alphonse for achieving this honor! We were selected to take part in the international school competition in Seoul, South Korea which we unfortunately could not attend. However, we do hope to do so in the coming year.
We also had a successful Atlas Rubicon Curriculum Mapping online core team training for the coordinators, VP and the ISM. Now we are gearing up for the all staff training in curriculum mapping next month. The English, Second Language and ESL departments have started their curriculum review. Especially this month our heads of departments and coordinators are very busy in the staff evaluation process. We are indeed grateful to Selvi Britto our new data base programmer for starting the Eforum on the Moodle platform and training the staff in this area. This Eforum is to be used for online learning and academic discussions. Our congratulations also go out to Marsha Joshi who was elected our NESA representative for 2009-2010 and to Anna Kagedal who will take over this responsibility in 2010-2011.
The busiest month of the first semester had its usual moments of tensions, pressures and the sense of satisfaction that multi tasking and time management has worked with varying degrees of success!
ISTE update
HP and ISTE are collaborating to launch a new grant program, the HP Innovations in Education (HP IIE) Grant Program “Re-imagining the Classroom". This partnership builds on six years of successful collaboration between our two organizations in supporting HP grants in the US and Canada. They are now expanding the work to a global level by seeking experienced educators with a proven track record of improving instruction and student learning through technology integration to serve as mentors for HP grantees.
If a school is selected for the grant, HP provides 32 workstations. ISTE's role as mentor is to help the school to integrate the PC as a tool for learning.
Congratulations
Congratulations also go to Alan Alphonse and Min-Gyu Lee who stood first in the Junior High South Zone Division of the Indian Robot Olympiad 2009 at Bangalore. Alan and Min-Gyu have qualified to participate in the World Robot Olympiad 2009 to be held in South Korea in November.
Field trip summary
This year there were 15 trips organized for high school students, the juniors and seniors being able to select their destination of choice. The grade 9's went on a trip to two charming cultural hotspots in south india, Mahabalipuram and Auroville. Most of the students who went on this field trip are in agreement about the success of its main objective -- undoubtedly, of exposing students to unique cultural experiences. The visit to The Banyan, a home for the mentally ill, gave students an insight into the lives of those not as fortunate as themselves. The sophomore class went on a field trip to Coimbatore. The goal of this trip was to broaden the students' minds, as they interacted with people from different social classes. According to one of the members of this trip, “The best part of the experience was meeting the transvestites, knowing about their stories enlightened me and helped me understand why they're like that. It also made me learn a lot about the harsh norms of society.”
The Cannore Quest trip was one of numerous options available to the junior and senior classes. The students worked with an NGO that cares for the mentally challenged, both children as well as the aged. When asked what the best part of the trip was, one student said, “The meeting with the children was the best part of the trip -- because they were so happy despite their problems. It really makes you count your blessings”.
For the IB Art students, the school organizes an annual trip to Hampi. Full of beautiful heritage sites, the students appreciated the Art, Culture, History and architecture of Hampi. Everyone really enjoyed the trip. For some, the best part of it was merely experiencing Hampi in the company of their friends.
On a different note, the Emote field trip to Chennai was geared towards the media and the performing arts. Using various forms of expression, the students helped raise funds for Prathyasha, an orphange in Chennai. For instance, the students recorded a music video in a professional recording studio. Apart from this being a novel experience for most students, it was a really fullfilling experience, as proceeds from the music video were used to help the orphanage. The students featured in an article, published by a local Chennai newspaper.
As the name suggests, the Kerala Culture field trip was a cultural one, exposing the students to the vibrant and colorful customs, rituals, people and above all, the culture of the state which is described so often as “God's own country”. The students were split up into house boats, and lived on the picturesque backwaters for a few days. For a lot of the students, the serenity of the house boats, made this laidback activity the highlight of the trip. The Mad River field trip was another trip to Kerala focusing on the local people, their main resource (the river), and the teamwork surrounding canoeing. The students used canoes to to get to each destination, and by the end of the trip had acquired an insight into the lives of the locals, as well as an impressive familiarity with the delicate art of canoeing.
If wrangling snakes and tackling crocs is your cup of tea, the King Cobra Adventure is for you! The few brave souls who signed up for the King Cobra Adventure, got what they had bargained for. Learning about the reptilian family, students learnt how to distinguish the length, sex and weight of snakes. They also learnt how to handle snakes. That was not all. Covering its eyes with a cloth, and then weighing it down using the bodyweight of enthusiastic students, a crocodile was captured and moved to a safer place; this being one of the many highlights of the trip.
The Mysore Heritage field trip brought the students to the historically rich city of Mysore. Aspects of History, Culture and Sociology were critically explored. Students absorbed not only the history, and culture, but also had a glimpse into the true essence of this city and its residents. The animal safari was really enjoyed by all, and many point this out as one of the best experiences during this trip.
The 'Health is Wealth' field trip took students to a coastal area in South India, to learn from, and interact with, people from different sub-groups of local society, with the help of an organization called SARDS.. The students met with people infected by HIV, their children, and also learnt about the lives of fishermen firsthand, staying with them in the fishing village, and meeting their families. An annual crowd favorite, the Southern Tip Trip to Nagercoil and the region surrounding it worked out a good balance between social service and fun, or as the students describe it-- between work and play. The students visited a hospital and each student had to contribute in some way to the hospital. This contribution took the form of making posters, performing dances or, in some cases, even white-washing walls. The students also visited a school for the mentally and physically challenged. The students were amazed by the strength of character each of the inmates displayed, despite their disablities, and their final performance was much appreciated by all.
“Green Team Dream” to Mysore was another field trip to the same city, yet with a completely different focus. The objective of this trip was to learn about methods of sustainable agriculture and nutrition. “GETTING DOWN AND DIRTY!” was the response one student gave, when asked what the best part of his field trip was. The students enjoyed getting their hands dirty by not only learning about sustainable farming, but really experiencing all its nitty-gritty .
'Save the Children' was another social experience based field trip, where the students went to centres that sheltered orphans, and others, for mentally and physically challenged children. The Home of Hope is one such centre that cares for children who have lost their parents to land mines, or whose parents are too busy earning a living. Just the sight of a group of visiting students made the day for those unfortunate kids. These visits established for the students the simple truth that these kids just want a taste of the love and caring that they werent able to receive from their parents. The happiness that surges from within these children at the slightest gesture of kindness, despite their deprivation, is truly amazing. This field trip was a real eye-opener for the students, and the students were amazed at how much they were able to learn from those little children. Wilderness Wanderings was another trip, full of hikes and treks in the rainforest of this region. For a lot of students who hadnt been on long treks, this was a new experience and they learnt a lot about the environment, about the conservation of the rainforest.
The multi faceted nature of the experiences each of these fieldtrips offered the students comprise a unique and illuminating insight into individual aspects of the culture and people of this great nation which, by its very existence, celebrates the diversity of human kind.
Rushad Mistry
Poondi field trip
Mad River field trip
This year 18 students and 5 staff did this wonderful trip. Pallavi Chatterjee, was one of them. The following are excerpts from her trip journal.
" Today was the first time at experiencing the sheer inexplicability of just "getting lost". Technically the others were ahead ...but...to find yourself completely alone in this green, silent world where the only sound is the lapping of the waves on the sides of the houses by the canal shores, and the soft occasional murmurs of Malayalam you're able to faintly receive - and which is suddenly the most melodious sound in the world. Now there was only me, the canoe and this green silent world I neither wanted to enter nor leave."
For Pallavi, it was moments of solitude and the interaction with handicapped children at a school in Alleppy, that were the most meaningful parts of the trip - plus an unexpected feeling of homesickness - for Kodai!
For others it may have been swimming in the canals or jumping off the accompanying boat, watching the sunset off the beach in Alleppy, or walking through a small town temple, with a Barathnayam performance going on in the courtyard. Our last day on a giant floating hotel of a houseboat (7 bedrooms!) where everyone got a chance to really hang out together, and with the best food of the trip, was also memorable and restful after 3 1/2 days of canoeing.
Barbara Block Trip Leader
Basil field trip
“Eat food, not too much, mostly plants,” Michael Pollan’s statement sums up just about all that we studied while at the Basil institution on the outskirts of Mysore, Tamil Nadu, India. This field trip was excellent and much enjoyed by the handful of motivated students and chaperones. Learning about agriculture on both a global and local scale opened our eyes to the many problems and beauties it encompasses. We watched videos, sat through seminars, worked on the organic farm, swam in the Kaveri river, visited the Mysore dam and a bird sanctuary and then reflected our learning in a presentation that we put together on the final day. Truly an eye opening experience that has changed our view on food and its production forever- a privilege to have been a part of the group to Basil, and a recommendation for all to visit.
Visiting Basil was an eye-opening experience and we discovered and learnt so much about food and agriculture in respect to the world today. Though it is a depressing thought to know how wrong we have gone as a race it was also highly motivating to discover all the possible solutions which are so simple to implement. “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.”
It was very well coordinated field. The field trip was very informative. I got to know a lot about the current global issues that I am unaware of. I personally loved the accomodation that we were offered. It was a perfect week off from our busy school life. It is definitely better than the ‘Habitat for Humanity’ field trip the previous year.
Staying at a peaceful place outside the clutches of the city, by the banks of river Kaveri was very relaxing. The trip also made me aware of a number of things , which I was previously not aware of. I came to know a lot about the importance of soil and its correlation with life. I also cherish the knowledge that I acquired about ‘healthy eating habits’.
Our Place - grades PS - 2 field trip
The children had an enriching and learning experience by going on a “field trip” and being exposed to the richness and wonders of our local places!!
Ongole field trip
Press release EMOTE in Chennai
24 September, 2009 (Chennai, Tamil Nadu) – A team of twenty Kodaikanal International School EMOTE students created two original songs to test how multimedia can inspire public opinion and action. The 2009 EMOTE project is part of an educational arts-based initiative by KIS, which includes theatre, film, art and music students who use their talents to raise global awareness. The 2009 team, called Elysian Rhythm, seeks to use music and film to influence positive change for social and environmental issues facing our communities. The students chose the name because “Elysia” is a place of Greek myth origin which represents a place in heaven reserved for heroes. The “rhythm” is the heartbeat of the people, the music common to all people. They hope to champion many causes through their creative talents.
Elysian Rhythm arrived in Chennai on 19 September to record two original songs and film two music videos. After a whirlwind week of production, the product will be unveiled on Friday, 25 September at their CD/DVD Release Party and World Premiere. The release will take place at 7:00pm at the popular Sparky’s Diner, #15, East Spurtank Rd in Chetpet. The press and public are invited to enjoy a live performance by the group’s band members, who recorded and starred in the songs.
The first song, “Be With Me,” is inspired by the HIV-affected orphans of the Prathyasha Home for Hope in Vellanoor Village. The students, who visited the dozen children aged 5 to 11 on Saturday, enjoyed creating art cards and murals, playing games of football, and singing and filming the footage for the music video. Elysian Rhythm members hope the song and video will inspire donations which will help with the completion of the orphanage building and ongoing living expenses for up to fifty children. “It’s really overwhelming to think that as a simple high school student, I might be able to bring about positive change through my music,” says the humble Bangladeshi 16 year-old lead singer for the song , Ridi Kahn. “This has been an awesome experience, and I have learned so much. I hope I’ll be coming back again next year.” The orphanage is part of the Mellow Circle Prathyasha Trust and can be reached through www.mellowcircle.com.
The second song was penned by 11th grade student, Jehan Katrak of Mumbai, who also leads the song and video. It hopes to bring public awareness to the issue of natural resource damage and displacement of indigenous villagers by the proliferation of increasing hydro-electric dam projects across India. “It was really hard work producing two songs and two videos in less than one week,” says Jehan, “but it will be totally worth it if we can help save even one village from losing their water sources or their homes.”
Two KIS Alumni from the class of 1990, Rekha and Shanki Mahendra, donated their prestigious Studio BrandedFilmz for the video shoot. Full rock show lights, lasers and fog machines filled the colorful sound stage as the camera carne swooped just inches from the student performers. Other footage was filmed in Kodaikanal and in and around Chennai. Some footage of North Indian dam project damage was supplied by the Tripathagamini “Save the Ganga” Appeal Project sponsored by the Aryamaan Ashram in Uttarkashi.
Elysian Rhythm team members hope that their songs will be well-received by the radio and television media, earning them enough airplay to influence people across the country. The 2009 EMOTE Project team is led by American film and theatre director, Ellen “Dash” Walter, who is currently the Head of Drama at KIS. She can be contacted for more information on the project or the band.
The press is cordially invited to attend the premiere launch ceremony. Please plan to attend to receive your advance copy of the CD and DVD.
Date: 25th September 2009
Venue: Sparky's Diner, East Spur Tank Road, Chennai
Time: 6:45 pm
Ellen “Dash” Walter
Cannanore Quest field trip
The explorers then moved on to Kappad Beach, the landing spot for Vasco Da Gama in India. It was awesome stepping on to the beach, and being transported back down the ages to the Portuguese arrival in India.
From here we moved on to Cannanore,(Kannur) where after endless enquiries, we reached our destination- the beautiful Kairali Riverside Heritage resort on the Katampally River. We enjoyed the food and the facilities there, before we started a memorable period working at the Ashrayam School for Mentally Challenged children. This is an amazing school catering to children with different types of mental disabilities. The Principal,who has been a part of the school for over twenty years acquainted us with the type of work being done for children from 0 years to 18 years. It was overwhelming to see the spirit of service in action here- the teachers were dedicated and the parents cooperative, while the children themselves seemed to be gaining a great deal from a wide range of activities like yoga, physiotherapy, tailoring, weaving, candle making, book binding and elementary reading, writing and computing.
We were fortunate to witness the sports day and organized a puppet show for the children. Our students played games and did a spot of gardening.The painting activity was very successful and it was rewarding to see the looks of joy on the children’s faces after they completed their works of Art.
The Home for the Aged that we visited gave us a good insight into the lives of those who are old, forgotten and deprived. Thanks to Mrs Menon, we were able to understand the problems of the inmates there and empathise with them. We also had a taste of Kannur’s rich cultural heritage when we visited the Muthappan Temple, The Academy of Folk Arts, the Arakkal Palace and Fort St. Angelo.
Kannur also boasts of a huge handloom weaving industry and we were fortunate to visit a handloom industry, as well as ‘The National Institute of Fashion Technology’.
Our stay at Sunfun Beach resort was wonderfully peaceful. The sound of the waves, the golden sands, inspiring sunsets and delicious food make this destination worth visiting. The Ayurvedic massage was a rejuvenating experience too, for those who had one.
On our way back to Kodaikanal, we stopped at a modern mall in Calicut and enjoyed ourselves shopping and eating at Pizza Hut.
Wilderness Wanderings field trip
RSM results
There were five students who attempted the highest RSM level exam which is a grade 8. Of those students Noah Chettri (RSM grade 8-violin), received the highest score of 125 (merit).
Kodai Open Basketball tournament
The tournament opened with the KIS senior team taking on NSVV MHSS, while another KIS team—known as the “X” team, put together just the day before—taking on MCTM Chennai. Both Kodai teams played hard, with the KIS “X” team exhibiting a strong, solid team effort despite having never practiced together. Still, the more experienced MCTM team defeated them 41-28. On the other court, the KIS senior team trailed NSVV the entire game, but never gave up. With just minutes left on the clock, and with the support of the students and staff in the stands, KIS took their first lead of the game. NSVV came back with a three pointer to regain the advantage, but the KIS boys battled harder. Key baskets by Nihal Chowdhury and Abishesh Dhakhwa helped KIS forge ahead and eventually come up on top, 24-22, in a thrilling finish. Defensively, the senior boys were stellar in the 2nd half, holding their opponents to just 9 points, which is the total amount of points scored against them in just the first quarter! Worawit Singsomdee was the team’s leading scorer with 12 points.
The next game featured the KIS super senior team, who handled their first opponent with ease. Asef Ahmed led the team with 23 points as they put away the Government Boys HSS team, 37-5. Meanwhile, in the final two games of the night, American College HSS Madurai downed NSVV Boys HSS 67-39, while the Kodai senior boys met MCTM Chennai. MCTM outsized the Kodai boys, but again, the senior team showed determination and heart, playing hard to the very end. Worawit Singsomdee was the high scorer again with 10 points, and Nihal Chowdhury added the other 6 points in the 42-16 defeat.
Saturday afternoon featured two semi-final games that would determine the evening’s finalists: MCTM Chennai vs. MSP Solai Nadar MHSS Dindigul, and the KIS super seniors vs American College HSS Madurai. MCTM Chennai and MSP Solai Nadar played a tight game, with MCTM Chennai eventually coming out on top 65-59. On the inside court, the KIS super seniors again showed their skill and teamwork as they battled their opponent. Several players were in foul trouble early, but they settled down and cruised to a 71-42 victory. Varun Varadaraj racked up 18 of those points.
That evening, the final game of the tournament took place between the KIS super seniors and MCTC Chennai. Chennai got off to a quick lead. KIS responded, but the Chennai time out stifled the attack and KIS never recovered. MCTC was nearly perfect with their shooting, exhibiting an outstanding performance. The final score was 65-41, with Asef Ahmed contributing 14 points to the cause.
The tournament ended with KIS PE teacher and tournament organizer Mr Marvin Ambrose celebrating the finalists and congratulating the champions. The students showed their appreciation for the three teams who represented them honourably by singing the Kodai School song. Well played, Kodai boys! We’re proud of you!
The 40 miler
The long weekend in the beginning of October was the date for another 40 mile hike! Most people had only just recovered from the fieldtrip and here we are, off again!
At night none of us slept much as the wind took off and we were lying awake, wondering whether the tent would collapse, a tree would land on us etc. The boys were up before 6 am and us, chaperones, joined them for our first cup of tea. All the tent poles had come down, but luckily no trees, so we set about resurrecting poles, tarps and tents and then we went for a long walk, picking mushrooms and enjoying the sun which had come out by this time. After lunch the boys went rafting and had a great time. Late in the afternoon it started pouring and so no campfire, but the coal fire in the covered area was nice and cosy and we were fell over each other laughing at the very silly jokes we all came up with.
November calendar dates
2-3 November - Girls' basketball in Ooty
10-11 November - Gymnastics show
13-14 November - Winter music concert
18 November - Christmas assembly
20-25 November - HS exams
21 November - Christmas banquet
24 November - ES music recital
26 November - Last day of classes / closing assembly
28 November - Id Ul Fitr / operational staff lunch / staff meeting and departure
KIS Giving
The following KIS supporters have made gifts, large & small, to KIS every year for:
21 years, George & Anne Althouse
14 years, John E & Lillian K Camp
15 years, Robert H & Lucile Carman
23 years, Bruce & Louise Cummings
15 years, Garrett E DeJong
16 years, David & Lois Dickason
14 years, John & Dorothea Helms
9 years, Gene & Kristie Hennig
17 years, Andrew M & Dorothy Hume
8 years, Benjamin & Mary Johnson
10 years, Kunal Kapoor
14 years, Eleanor Macfarlane
22 years, John & Patricia MacKay
8 years, Daryl & Elsie Miller
9 years, Ernest & Edna Nunn
9 years, John & Dorothy Nyce
15 years, Richard & Joanne Patton
17 years, John E & Lorraine Rittmann
13 years, John & Ruth Ruggiero
18 years, August F & Alice Schmitthenner
9 years, Sandra Schoeninger
10 years, May L & Charles Votaw
13 years, Andrew W & Wilma Wilch
15 years, Theodore W & Gwendolyn Zwemer
Judy Redder & Alika Khosla
Foundation Officer & Development Officer Read More...
Appreciation & Accomplishments
- Antoine De Saint Exupery
Many of you already know that the KIS Archivist resigned and left KIS on 30 September. The search for a new archivist has been underway and a short list of new candidates is being reviewed.
Social Experience Tree Planting
In response to the Wish List, Sushma & Nimish Shah, current KIS parents made a very generous contribution to the SoEx department for their major tree planting campaign. We are very grateful for your support! The Green Team transplanted 60 indigenous Shola tree saplings and the Youthrise group http://www.youthrise.in/ painted and interacted at the Tribal Orphanage.
An important message from KIS
Earlier this month we broadcast an important video message to all of you. For those who may have missed it, please follow this link http://my.kis.in/kis-is-grateful/kis-is-grateful.html
KIS Profiles
The Annual Fund gives KIS the means to develop and continue programs that make this school a truly outstanding place. The Fund creates opportunities for KIS students to achieve all kinds of excellence and has a direct impact on KIS ability to attract exceptional teachers and tomorrow’s leaders. In this month’s profile, staff and students who believe in “giving back”.
Bryan Plymale
SoEx, Theory of Knowledge
“Giving back is what it’s all about. This is our purpose and the real reason we are here.” - Bryan Plymale
Hometown: Born in Corning, New York. Has lived and worked in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Texas, California, Brazil, Haiti, Singapore, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Puerto Rico and India.
Years at KIS: 1998 – 2001 and 2006 to present. Bryan has served KIS in many roles, such as Science teacher, World Religions, Ethics, Theory of Knowledge, Social Experience, field trips, Ultimate Frisbee, basketball coach, NHS Selection and Residential Life committees.
Organizations: Ultimate Frisbee Players Association, Palani Hills Conservation Council, Vattakanal Conservation Trust, World Gratitude Gathering, International Kite Surfing Association, International Mountain Biking Association, Classroom 2.0, Sierra Club, Green Peace.
Sports: Ultimate Frisbee, basketball, biking, kite surfing, snow and water skiing, beach volleyball, in-line skating, martial arts, yoga.
Hobbies: Most sports, photography, reading, traveling, dancing, gardening, eating, social media, film.
Music: A very eclectic taste in music from Flamenco to Jazz, Classical to Ambient, Progressive to Social, children’s songs to Reggae……especially Camp Fire Jams & Drum Circles.
Languages: Has studied with various degrees of success, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, Tamil, Bahasa Indonesian and Italian. Plus a few words in Thai, Swahili, Bahasa Malayu, Hatian Creole and French.
Family: Married to KIS Spanish teacher, Isabel Fernandez and has a beautiful baby daughter, Daniela.
“I would like to see KIS become a model of holistic social, spiritual and environmental education.” - Bryan Plymale
Grade 12
“KIS has given me a path for which to explore the world.” -Kavitha Selvaraj
Hometown: Auroville, India
Years at KIS: 4 years
Organizations: Youthrise, dance club, SoEx, Vice Principal’s List
Sports: Swimming, dancing, horseback riding
Hobbies: Painting, sketching, dancing, working with children and spending time on the beach
Music: Listening to reggae
Languages: English, Tamil, French, Dutch
Favorite teacher: Mr Menon
Favorite class: Art
Future: To study sustainable development at university in Holland
Inspiration: “Growing up in Auroville, and now having spent my last four years in Kodaikanal, I feel my home and my communities are truly these two and believe that I will one day return to “give back” in some way. My parents, friends and teachers have shaped my life and built me as a person encouraging me and supporting me in becoming the individual I am today. They have also been the people who have given me the opportunity to first leave my home in Auroville in order to have the privilege of studying at KIS. And now KIS has given me the opportunity to go abroad and pursue my studies at a college level studying Sustainable Development. I am sure, one day I will return and contribute to both communities as both Auroville and Kodaikanal have instilled within me a need to help the environment and my community. Though I am still growing as a student and am struggling to realize my dream I do believe that with the education and motivation from teachers such as Mr Bryan Plymale, Dr Mathew and the Social Experience department, that I will return to my roots in attempt to make my home one that will nourish and motivate the generations to come, just as it has done for me.”
“I would like to see KIS become more open and grow as a multicultural community” - Kavitha Selvaraj
Ananda Boga
Grade 12
“KIS has given me the ability to be proud of what I believe no matter what others think.” - Ananda Boga
Hometown: Mumbai, India
Years at KIS: 2
Organizations: Founder of Youthrise, an organization of youth who are making their own generation aware of the importance of Unity, Environment and Leadership. To learn more about Ananda’s vision and Youthrise’s initiatives follow this link: http://www.youthrise.in/ If you are interested in receiving the Youthrise newsletter, email youthrise@hotmail.com
Sports: Cricket
Hobbies: Playing Ccicket, editing movies, drama
Music: Listening to calm music & Hindi music
Languages: Hindi, English, Marathi
Favorite teacher: Dr Mathew
Favorite class: Math
Inspiration: “My grandfather….he always said to try and make a difference and help people. For me personally, giving back is extremely important and plays a significant part of my life. I have been brought up by always being told to be gracious, kind and caring towards others. I believe that society has given me a lot, even Youthrise for that matter: it would not have been possible without the support of a community or a group of people. Hence for me to do something good back for society and a community is extremely essential.”
“I would like to see KIS students be more accepting and open to new things and ideas.” - Ananda Boga