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Jain
Court" - this year's YJA formal dance. Attendees had the chance to dress up elegantly, donning Indian reception attire, to celebrate the last night of such a memorable convention. The dance floor was clogged up with people of all age groups bonding over good music and a fun ambiance. Whether or not one could dance, it was very evident
that all of the youth had a fantastic time bonding with their fellow agents of change at the “Maharaja's Court.”
On the last night of YJA, all attendees spent their final hours at the convention with an all-nighter slumber party. Those who had enough energy and spirit stayed up the entire night and occupied the entire first floor. In groups, there were games of spoons, card magic tricks,
and Ninja. Aside from the impromptu activities, the friendships built throughout the weekend were strengthened. The all-nighter is the last memory from the convention that every attendee takes away as it was perhaps the most exhilarating event.
OUTTA
Finally, we would like to acknowledge the YJA Executive Board and the YJA Convention Committee for their tremendous work and efforts towards planning and executing this convention. All committees did an excellent job in making sure that every attendee enjoyed the convention. As for the future, social media will keep all Young Jains connected, but as we proceed professionally and religiously, we will continue to remember that religion unifies us; it pushes us to live as the Agents of Change.
YJA Convention 2016 - Behind the Scenes
By Manan Jobalia and Simmi Nandu
Manan Jobalia is from Nashville, TN. He is a Healthcare Management major with a pre-med concentration at UAB. He is Director of Public Relations at YJA. Simmi Nandu is from Dallas, TX. She is a junior at the University of Texas, Austin, studying Chemical Engineering. She serves as a South Regional
Coordinator at YJA. She also served on the convention's Hospitality Committee. Seven months ago, thirty-five people from across the country joined the 2016 Convention Committee. Seven months ago, the only thing we had done was make a list of things that needed to be accomplished. Seven months ago, most of us had never met each other in person. Seven months ago, we became a family!
By the time Friday, the first day of convention, rolled around, all thirty-five of us were already at the hotel and preparing for the opening of convention since the earliest hours of the morning. Most of us had been in Los Angeles since earlier in the week, burning hours and calories to pack souvenir bags, set up the hospitality suite
and lounges, unloading the U-Haul and carrying boxes. Storage rooms were filled from corner to corner and 28 fully prepared for the coming days' activities.
