Jain Digest 1999 04

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 23

"There is nothing more powerful than an idea. No weapon can destroy it, no power can conquer it, except the power of another idea."
Invitation to Bid Packets Available for the 2000 YJA Convention
YJA is seeking enthusiastic and vibrant cities to place a bid to host the 2000 Young Jains of America Convention. The invitation to bid packets are currently available and the deadline for submitting proposals is June 21, 1999, however this deadline may be extended based on discretion. Detailed guidelines for various aspects of hosting the Convention (ie. programming, site, finances, registration, public relations) should be addressed. These points should be thoroughly read by every city interested in submitting a bid appli
cation.
Successful 10k Walk and Seed Scholars Recognized
The Supporting Excellence in Education (SEED) Foundation had its first annual 10K Walk-A-Thon on April 24, in Chicago, IL. The theme for this event was "Small steps... Great Strides". There were approximately 60 walkers, 13 corporate sponsors, and numerous volunteers. The Foundation exceeded their goal and raised approximately $20,000 through donations, pledges and corporate
ment with a perfect 4.0 GPA and is ranked in the top 1% of her class (711 students). Hetal's community service includes stints at the Environmental Division of the Los Angeles Public Works Department and at the Monterey Park Boys and Girls Club. She has an amazing aptitude in the language arts as shown by her being elected Vice-President of the Writer's Guild and being a recipient of the prestigious Harvard Book Award.
Hoping to pursue a career in economics, Meera Shah would like to help redistribute resources for proper allocation for social programs in Canada. She actively volunteers her time for geriatric patients at the local hospital. Meera has been recognized academically for her high scores in the Cayley Math Contest, a national math competition. In addition, she has worked at the University of Alberta as a Statistics Research Assistant. At school, Meera is the Business Manager for her school newspaper and also is the President of the Graduation Committee for her senior class.
sponsors.
The Foundation is proud to announce its scholarship recipients for 1999. The three 1999 SEED Scholars are Dave Chokshi from Baton Rouge, LA, Hetal Mehta from Alhambra, CA, and Meera Shah from Edmonton, Alberta. All three SEED Scholars will receive a $1000 scholarship. These three individuals were chosen based on their strong academic performance, outstanding leadership potential, and an unwavering commitment to their communities.
Valedictorian of his high school, Dave Chokshi has undertaken unique endeavors such as establishing Avatara, a literary magazine consisting of works from Indian-American high school students. Dave is a tenacious individual who has been involved in tutoring programs sponsored by the Salvation Army, Volunteers in Public Schools, Big Buddy Partners and Pals, and his Latin class. His academic accomplishments are sensational, as he nearly attained a perfect score on the SAT. Dave plans on pursuing a career in medical research and public service.
Hetal Mehta is a National Merit Finalist planning to major in Environmental Studies. She has demonstrated high academic achieve
Upon receiving the bid proposals, the YJA Executive Board will review each application. The city will be evaluated on a point scale system in the areas of youth support, budget, site, adult support, and additional information. Therefore each city will not be competing against each other, but rather attempting to score the highest number of points possible. The YJA Executive Board looks forward to receiving several high caliber bid applications. If you are interested in engaging in a rewarding experience, please contact the cochairs or email questions to yja.info@iname.com.
The SEED Foundation is a non-profit scholarship foundation promoting Asian-Indian youth to achieve greater educational opportunities. The goal is to support and prepare youth for the emerging global world. Our mission is to plant a seed of inspiration that will help youth to grow into responsible adults in their communities. The Foundation sponsors an annual scholarship program that recognizes and rewards well-rounded students. For more information on the SEED Foundation and its activities, please visit our website at www.seedfoundation.org.
JAIN DIGEST. SUMMER 1999/21