by kfi | Jun 12, 2017 | Archives |
May 2017
In the 7 years that I have spent at KIS I have learnt a lot in terms of music and have grown immensely as a musician. From having had the opportunity to learn from such talented teachers and students alike to being a part of so many ensembles to having the chance to start a few of my own. Over the years I have improved vastly in terms of skill and dexterity, but more importantly I have been able to find myself as a musician and as a person.
Thank you for recognizing me and presenting me this award and for acknowledging and appreciating what I was able to contribute as a musician to this school. It reassures me that striving towards a personal passion, despite hardships, will eventually always lead to success. This encouraging gesture will push me to continue, and for that I sincerely thank you.
I cannot thank the school enough for supporting me through this amazing musical journey. And I can say surely, this is just the beginning.
Sincerely Yours,
Jonathan Kulothungan ‘17
Kodaikanal International School
by kfi | Jun 12, 2017 | Archives |
May 2017
My name is JiHae Kim and I am from South Korea. I joined KIS in Grade 8, which was back in 2012. I initially came here to improve my English skills. Also because I had heard about the fantastic music programme which KIS offers its students. I have always been passionate about music and this was my
opportunity to learn different instruments, develop my voice and build my confidence to perform.
I play the violin, piano, guitar and I love singing. KIS has been the best thing that happened to me. I was able to build on my passion and focus on a future with music.
I have been accepted at the Berklee College of Music, and will be pursuing music production as my major.
Thank you for helping us music students who want to continue with music even after KIS.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the DeJong family for their generous scholarship, which I have just received. I have been I have been struggling with financial issues in terms of college and music and while I am keen to follow my heart, I did not want to burden my family. I am blessed to have this scholarship, as it will go a long way in helping towards the initial fees that I need to pay.
With regards
JiHae Kim ‘17
Kodaikanal International School
by kfi | Jun 12, 2017 | Archives |
May 2017
My name is Jaideep Benjamin Joshua Narayanan. My life in KIS started in 2008 as I moved into the 4th grade. KIS offered me something not many schools in India offer along with the school curriculum, and that was music. A chance to learn any instrument and possibly follow it as a career and most importantly a passion. I have learnt a number of instruments over my years in Kodai: piano guitar, drum, and the alto saxophone. I started off with the piano and did a grade 1 RSM, it was all new to me at the time . I started the alto saxophone in 7th grade and found it to be something that really interested me. I was determined to learn and be one of the best saxophonists. I spent several hours practicing and this showed in the achievements I got throughout the years. I took part in the beginner band during my 7th grade and by the 8th grade I was moved up to the advanced ensemble. I did a grade 5 ABRSM theory and achieved a distinction in the exam, and also did my grade 6 ABRSM practical in the alto saxophone and achieved a distinction and a highest achievers award in two states in South India (Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry). It was hard work, however I was blessed to have a wonderful teacher to guide me throughout this learning process. Mr. Prasanth would always go the extra mile to help me achieve and accomplish all the goals I set for myself. I am truly grateful to God for putting him in my life.
With this passion for music, I started to learn a few other instruments as a result of being around other musicians, for example my peers and my parents. I learnt the guitar and the drums, and slowly started to teach myself. Throughout the years I have spent more time working with the saxophone. It has been a passion of mine and I really enjoy learning and playing. Once I started the saxophone I also started listening to new types of music, as a result of the learning process I was introduced to new genres of music. I love jazz and the blues, and as a saxophonist I love listening to these genres and I have started working on jazz and hope to continue during my further education. Olivet College-Michigan, a wonderful institution in the United States, has accepted my application. I plan to do a double major, in both music and visual arts for my undergraduate degree.
During my final years in KIS, I was lost and confused when it came to college searches and my education after KIS. Both my parents work in the school and I attend KIS as a day scholar. My father is a dorm parent and my mother teaches in the Elementary School. The reason we are here is because of God and his blessings, and I am truly grateful for all that He has done. Through His grace, I got into Olivet College. Furthermore the college offered me a music based scholarship to pay toward my tuition, however there is still more that I have to pay. In addition to this my parents won’t really be able to afford the rest of the fee, we are praying and hoping that God will make a way and take care of the rest. I would really like to study in the US, as it is a dream of mine.
I take this opportunity to thank your family for the generous gift I have just received. This will go a long way in helping me to reach my dream. Thank you for believing in us as musicians and for acknowledging our efforts and love in this field.
Jaideep ‘17
Kodaikanal International School
In case you are interested, here are a few of my performances throughout my time in KIS.
by kfi | Jun 12, 2017 | Archives |
May 2017
This semester, has been a very hectic one academically, as we approach the final year of our Baccalaureate Program. From pulling all-nighters to finishing assignments to running here and there arranging the prom event, this semester has been full with activity.
I have been committed to a lot of activities this semester because I want to make sure that when I leave this school, I am full with the various experiences this school has been able to provide. I was on the prom committee for the session 2016-17. I undertook my own CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) project that was dedicated to recycling waste. Moreover, along with my cousin, I founded an organization called “Friends Organizations” that is dedicated to feeding and clothing the poor on the streets. We feel so happy and satisfied when we help these less privileged children and I hope to do a lot of work during the vacations, taking this organization to different parts and helping street children wherever we can reach them.
My academics for this year have improved considerably as the challenges become tougher requiring my time and commitment. The year has been full with deadlines and it has been a new experience for me because I have learnt how to manage my time more efficiently. I am eagerly looking forward to my senior year and hope it has fruitful outcomes for me.
I would like to thank the donors for continuing to support me this last year. You have been a great backbone in the experiences I have undertaken and the many more to come.
With gratitude,
Dev Selarka ‘18
Kodaikanal International School
by kfi | Jun 12, 2017 | Archives |
Kodai Class of 1964 Reunion – Portland, Oregon – May 15-18, 2017
Sixteen members of the Kodai Class of 1964 gathered at Hotel Modera in Portland May 15 to 18, 2017, to reconnect, reminisce and experience Portland together. The reunion was capably organized by classmate Eileen Staal Westenberg and her husband Harlan.
In attendance were: Myra Vogt Danielson and her husband Larry, Gordon and Mary Bell, Margaret Dunderdale Laver and her husband Tom, Beth Grumm Kroger, Esther Saunders Smith and her husband Jeff, Sue (Laila) Nykerk, Carl and Karen Skold, Leslie Servid Williams, Cyril Scott-Plessinger, Nancy Michalk, Helen Kline, Mary Coleman Lowry and her husband David, Paul Davis and his wife Carol, and Eileen Staal Westenberg with husband Harlan. The class was particularly pleased to have two members join them whom they had not seen since 1989: Arlene Sorbo Stubbs from Hyderabad, India, and Bev Chell from nearby Eugene.
One of the highlights of the reunion was an intimate conversation with the author of The Shack, Paul Young. The Shack is a multi-million bestseller book around the world. Class member Paul Davis is a friend of Paul Young and had invited him to join us. Paul Young is a Third World Kid, the son of missionaries in Irian Jaya, Indonesia. He wrote The Shack for his family and close friends in part to explain his journey from pain to forgiveness and peace. Class members appreciated the opportunity to interact with Paul Young, as they explored the themes of the book through questions and comments.
Other highlights included a walking tour led by Harvey Kline ’57, with his wife Yuko. Harvey, the author of The ABC’s of Portland: Alphabet & Pearl Districts, is a local historian and was the perfect guide to historic spots in downtown Portland.
One evening the class gathered at Chennai Masala restaurant and were joined by other Kodai-related folk: VJ Sathyaraj and his wife Asha (Kodai staff 1977-88), Annette and Neal Stixrud (Kodai staff 1979-86 and 2006-07, and parents of KIS principal Corey Stixrud ’86), Zuhair Gafur ’76, Ted Engelbrecht (’74 and Kodai staff 1985-91) and his wife Jacqueline and son Yung Ting, Sharon Yardy ’66, Harvey Kline ’57 and his wife Yuko Miyazaki, and Laurie Westenberg, Eileen and Harlan’s daughter.
On the second day of the reunion the class was guided by Jeanette Palmiter (daughter of Dick and Lila Palmiter, Kodai staff 1952-56) to Multnomah Falls, a spectacular waterfall an hour’s drive out of Portland. Four members of the group – Paul Davis, Leslie Williams, Carl Skold and Mary Lowry – climbed 1 ¼ miles to the top of the falls while their classmates enjoyed the view from below.
On the final day, the class was welcomed by Eileen and Harlan to their condo, with its lovely view of Portland and the Willamette River for drinks and snacks. This gave us an opportunity to support one another in our sadness at the loss of classmate John Aung-Thwin, and share our memories of him also. John died on January 13, 2017 at his home in Grenville-sur-la-Rouge, Quebec. He was a beloved class leader during high school and never missed an opportunity to attend a reunion. Classmate John Tegenfeldt, as a close friend of John’s, attended the family’s memorial service for John AT in Montreal in the same week as our reunion, and represented our class also, at that time.
The Class of 1964 has remained close for 53 years since graduating from Kodai School in 1964. Some classmates left before graduation and others joined the class for only 3-4 years. Yet the commonalities of that life-forming experience keep bringing us together. We were also very fortunate to have long-suffering but supportive spouses at this reunion: Harlan Westenberg, Mary Bell, Larry Danielson, Jeff Smith, Tom Laver, Karen Skold and David Lowry, who have become honorary class members over the years.
Our tentative plan is to schedule our next reunion in two years (2019) at a location yet to be determined.
Mary Coleman Lowry and Beth Grumm Kroger
For more pictures, go to the Gallery – Class of 1964.
