Book Title: Jain Center Los Angeles CA 2008 09 Pratishta Souvenior
Author(s): Jain Center So CA Los Angeles
Publisher: USA Jain Center Southern California
________________
Aashna Shah and
Raina Shah
GAY
Eighteen Strangers & JCYC Committee
We all always wonder how that Indian girl who cannot speak English becomes best friends with the girl who does not even know how to speak her native tongue. Or how people that are so different can come together and find the one thing they have in common to become the driving force of a new friendship. Each year for 18 kids, that driving force becomes the JCYC committee at Jain Center.
It was mid-April and a line of kids were waiting nervously for their one shot to impress a group of judges in hopes of becoming the next member of the teen committee. Some say that committee brings together a community of all-ages; others say it is a great chance to flaunt your leadership skills, but what many do not know is that committee is one great family that never gives up on each other. Maybe it is not just about interviewing for a committee; it is about trying to become a part of a bigger family and knowing you have the power to make a difference.
It was mid-June and we were gathered in a circle, meeting our new committee members for the first time. Playing the oldschool neighborhood games to help each other break the ice, we split off into two teams. Screaming, cheering, crying, and whining, we put each other through almost every emotion possible in a matter of a half-hour basketball game. That was when we really got to know each other. That was when we learned each other's styles. And that was when we broke the ice and became better friends
It was mid-November and we are adding the final touches to one of our biggest events, Winter Camp. It was our goal that this event would go as smoothly as possible and that every child enjoyed their four freedom-filled days away from parents. Chaos filled the room as the stress-stricken presidents took out their frustrations on every member of the committee. As December rolled around, frustrations subdued and excitement of finally being with friends for a weekend came into the near future. The fights we had were only a mere reminder that what we had put each other through only added to the bigger picture. We had made it to our goal, and we made it as a team.
It was mid-May and the year's end was slowly catching up to us. Our last event has always been thrown together among high school exams, finals, sporting events, and Mahavir Jyanti. This event was the one event that represented exactly what JCYC committee stood for. Committee pulled everything together to allow every single member at Jain Center to finally become one entity. From running around in circles, to setting up food platters, we became focused towards our quest to unite every child and every adult. This was it. This was our objective. Even though the end of the year finally engulfed us with goodbyes, lasting friendships had blossomed and role models were noticed. Eighteen teenagers tried their very best to impact an entire community. Eighteen teenagers also gained the maturity to understand that even if one life was changed, brightened, or influenced, every inch of effort was significant.
We were sitting together for the last time as we looked back at the hectic year we just had. We started off as 18 strangers, 18 different minds. But now 18 strangers became a single family. Smiles and laughter filled the air as we reminisced about all the good and bad times we shared. We started talking about how each of us had grown not only individually but also as a team. Those awkward moments that we once shared ceased to exist and all the arguments we went through just proved to each of us that we could get through anything as long as we worked together. As the year came to an end, our friendships grew, our teamwork improved, and our fights brought us closer. The definition of a committee had changed. To us, committee was not just about flaunting our leadership skills, or trying to make every event foolproof. It was about stepping outside of our comfort zone and taking a chance at becoming something more. And if we had not done just that, we would have missed out on experiencing the most memorable year. (left is the picture of our commitee members)
Aashna Shah and Raina Shah are JCYC Co-Presidents for 2008-2009.
Top Row from left to right: Pratik Doshi, Somil Chheda, Meha Shah, Kavita Mehta, Karina Mehta, Kritika Jain, Hershal Solanki
Middle Row: Khushboo Shah, Tripti Shah, Praachi Shah, Labdhi Sheth, Urvashi Jain, Paras Shah
Bottom Row: Aashna Shah, Raina Shah
Not Pictured: Saahil Jain, Avni Shah, Pujen Solanki, and Varuska Patni
