by kfi | Mar 12, 2024 | Archives |
Please come and join us at the KIS Labor Day Reunion for hours and days of reminiscing and reconnecting with your classmates, teachers, and other alumni. All ages are welcome. KIS Principal, Corey Stixrud, KIS Development Officer, Kalyani Gandhi-Rhodes, and Alumni Coordinator, Manjusha Ninan will be in attendance to answer any of your questions on the exciting things happening at the school. The KFI Board of Directors will be having an in person meeting on Friday, so please approach our Board Members during the weekend to ask questions about KFI, how to donate, and share your ideas.
There is a Sunday service for those who would like to attend, complete with an always amazing volunteer choir, as well as swimming, zip-lining, rock climbing, volleyball and hiking. The days are spent for the most part sitting about in/outside cabins or at the tables in the pavilion chatting with classmates and alumni, those you know and new friends you meet. You may end up ‘chopping and chatting’ while in the pavilion. This usually involves the chef of the day placing vegetables and cutting boards in front of you to chop while you chat with your old and new friends. All meals are family-style Indian food cooked on site by our own alumni. Meals may include dosai, sambar, idli, tandoori chicken, Kerala fish fry, and various vegetarian dishes, among other dishes. There are also non-Indian kids’ meals available for anyone.
The camp has lots of different styles of cabins that sleep between 4 -20 people, some with attached bathrooms, as well as Adirondack lean-to’s. You will need to bring your own bedding/sleeping bag and towel for these cabins. There is also plenty of space to pitch a tent. All accommodations are first come, first served. If you are not the camping type, higher-end rooms with attached bathroom, provided bedding, towels and AC are available but limited and in great demand. Please contact Mary Coleman Lowry about reservations, lowrymary36@gmail.com. There are also plenty of hotels and motels in the area.
Dates:
Wednesday, August 30 – Monday, September 4, 2024
Where:
Camp Kirchenwald
1 Cut Off Road
Lebanon, PA 17042
For more information, find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @KISLaborDayReunion or email KISLaborDayReunion@gmail.com
Here is a brief statement on Covid Requirements for the Kodai Reunion:
“All alumni are more than welcome to attend the reunion at Camp Kirchenwald. Following Pennsylvania state guidelines, attendees will not be required to show proof of vaccination for COVID; however, we recommend that all attendees take the rapid test before they come to avoid the risk of transmission.”
by kfi | Aug 23, 2022 | Archives |
Recipient Name: Rajshree Ghimiray. Grade 11 and 12, 2021 to 2023. The Dr. Kunjlata Kothary Master Scholarship is awarded to a young woman entering KIS in Grade 11 with demonstrated academic excellence; an ambition to pursue studies and a career in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, or Math (a woman with STEAM!); and a commitment to serve her community.
Rajshree Ghimiray was chosen as the recipient of the KKM Scholarship for the Academic Year 2021-23. An Indian student, Rajshree hails from Darjeeling and demonstrated a strong academic background with passion for physics and engineering. Rajshree’s dorm parent describes her as a polite and affectionate student. She is usually well organized and consistent in her work. Her teacher observes that Rajshree has a keen interest in astrophysics. For her internal assignment, she thoroughly tallied her experiment-related measurements using a variety of different scientific tools.
A note of Appreciation from Rajshree: As I near the end of my high school experience here at Kodaikanal International School, I am grateful for the amazing opportunity that this STEM scholarship has provided me over the past two years. Taking physics, chemistry, and mathematics as my higher level subjects has been a challenging but fulfilling journey, and I could not have done it without the support of this scholarship.
Looking to the future, I am excited about the possibility of continuing my studies in the Netherlands. The University of Twente is a top choice for me, with its excellent programs in science and technology, and I am hopeful that my conditional offer will become an acceptance. Studying abroad in a new and unfamiliar environment would be a major step for me, but I am eager to embrace the challenges and opportunities that come with it.
In addition to considering the University of Twente, I have also received conditional offers from five universities through UCAS, including the University of Birmingham, Queen Mary University London, University of Aberdeen, Newcastle University, and the University of Glasgow. While these offers are conditional, I am committed to maintaining my academic performance and meeting the requirements to secure my spot at one of these prestigious institutions.
Despite the challenges of my 12th-grade classes, I have also been actively involved in the Science National Honor Society (SNHS) at my school. As a member, I have had the opportunity to connect with like-minded students who share my passion for science and technology. I am particularly proud of my involvement in organizing a science quiz competition this semester, which aimed to promote scientific curiosity and knowledge among students in grades 9-12. Despite the effort and time required to organize the event, it was a success, with positive feedback from both students and faculty.
All in all, my STEM scholarship has been a transformative experience that has opened doors to countless opportunities. Additionally, my involvement in SNHS has allowed me to develop my leadership skills and connect with like-minded individuals who share my passion for science and technology. I am grateful for the opportunities that have come my way and am excited about what the future holds.
by kfi | Jul 1, 2022 | Archives |
Russel de Valois 2021-23 – Scholarship
Recipient Name : Aanya Chadha | Grade : 11 | Awarded for 2 years
At KIS, we truly believe that learning happens in many forms. When your roommate is from a different culture or nationality and your friend is from a different background, we learn through our differences and this is fundamental to shaping a child’s worldview and perspectives. As of today, our student body comprises students from 23 different countries. About 25% of our students reside in international locations and represent 12 faiths. Of as much importance to us is social economic diversity in our community. Through our staff benefits policies, financial aid program and scholarship offerings, an approximate 150+ students are able to access a KIS education at a highly subsidized cost. The Russel de Valois Scholarship is a phenomenal program that helps KIS attract meritorious students into our IBDP program offering them a full scholarship through their two years of study at KIS.
Aanya Chadha was chosen as the recipient of the Russel de Valois Scholarship for the Academic Years 2021-23. Aanya was chosen from a pool of Indian students, aspiring to study at KIS however requiring substantial financial assistance. Aanya was chosen for her meritorious accomplishments apart from showing a deep interest in Football and Music. It is no surprise that Aanya continues to perform exceeding well at KIS. (AY 2022-23: 4.00; AY 2021-22 : 3.96)
Aanya has represented KIS in our U-19 Football teams in the annual Ooty Sports Tournament and also in our very own Kodi Football League, where KIS was placed runners up for the AY 22-23. Aanya’s dorm parent describers her as a charming young woman! She is very hard working and dedicated towards whatever she undertakes– be it academics or sports. Her teachers find her to be an intelligent, sincere, and hardworking student who has an inquiring mind and a positive attitude.
NOTE OF APPRECIATION FROM AANYA CHADHA
Dear Scholarship Committee,
As my time at KIS is coming to a close, I would like to express my deepest gratitude for the scholarship opportunity that has been provided to me. The financial assistance that I have received through this scholarship has been instrumental in allowing me to pursue my academic goals at KIS.
My experience at KIS has been truly transformative, and I am grateful for the opportunities that the scholarship program has provided me. These last few weeks have been especially pensive, it’s hard to believe that I have been here at KIS for almost two years now and will be leaving in less than a month. I have been able to take advantage of various academic and extracurricular activities that have helped me grow both personally and academically. Coming from a nuclear family myself, suddenly living with twenty seven other girls in a dorm was truly an invigorating experience, and I will cherish the tomfoolery we have created. From playing cricket with a piece of wood as a bat in the courtyard of our open dorm to continuing the legend of the ‘Kennedy Ghost’- this has been nothing short of a dream. From being able to sit on the hammock and just look up at the stars at three am to being denied the wish to cry alone, living in this dorm and developing and working on different kinds of relationships has transformed me as a person and has altered some of my beliefs. Just a few days ago us seniors had a rough day, it seemed as though nobody got any studying done that day and we needed a break. Eight of us crammed up in a single room and played UNO cards. We spiced it up with some really childish bets but I didn’t lose so I didn’t have to do the chicken dance. We got scolded multiple times by our dorm relief as technically it was study hour. After a bit we played cards and returned back to our respective rooms. I have gained a family here and I could not be more grateful for the sense of belonging I feel. The scholarship program has not only provided me with the financial support that I needed but also with a supportive community that has encouraged me to strive for excellence in all aspects of my life.
Thanks to this scholarship, I have been able to explore my academic interests and pursue my passion for learning. I successfully completed an Extended Essay in Higher Level Biology this year that boosted my love for this subject and learning in general. Spending three months solely conducting my experiment, while waiting for my fungi and bacteria to grow in the incubator and tediously repeating trials, I spent a lot of time at the lab and created fulfilling relationships with the lab assistant and the ‘aakas’ that help maintain the lab. Ms Jasmine (the biology and chemistry lab assistant) just happened to walk in when a set of 80 petri dishes showed no results. Miss saw my face, and gave me a hug, told me to take a break and come back the next day. I hope she knows how much that one interaction meant to me. The opportunities to engage with faculty members, participate in research projects, and attend conferences have been invaluable in helping me develop my intellectual curiosity and critical thinking skills. Having recently received the subject awards for Biology, Chemistry, French, TOK, CAS and a ‘K’ for football, I have been flooded by so much love and encouragement that I am quite frankly overwhelmed. The eleventh-grade higher level Biology students have an in class formative tomorrow and two of the kids came up to me for help today since I received the Biology award. KIS has introduced me to a kind of pseudo mutualistic relationship with peers concerning academics, it’s a rather wholesome way to approach learning. We don’t let the fact that boys and girls reside in dorms on separate campuses stop us, being on a discord server or google meet with friends on East Hill (senior boys’ campus) or getting permission to go to Upper Boyer (senior girl dorm) at ten at night isn’t uncommon. Slipping and tripping (and pretending it never happened) on your way to Upper Boyer is also not uncommon. These academic pursuits in the IB diploma program have helped my future too, I have committed to University of California San Diego for Bioengineering: Bioinformatics (so excited!) which I believe would not be possible without my time here at KIS.
As I reflect on my time at KIS through the scholarship program, I feel immensely grateful for the experiences that I have gained here. The scholarship has provided me with a platform to pursue my dreams and make a positive impact in the world.
Once again, I would like to express my sincerest thanks to the Scholarship Committee for their generosity and support. I am truly honored to have been a recipient of this scholarship, and I will always remember the impact that it has had on my life.
With the kindest of regards,
Aanya Chadha
by kfi | Apr 28, 2022 | Archives |
Russell De Valois Scholarship | $5,100
Funded by classmates, friends and family of Russell De Valois ’43, interest earnings from the endowed fund is offered every other year to a student entering grade 11 for the duration of his/her study at KIS to graduation at the end of grade 12.
The 2018-19 scholarship recipient, Anuja Baldota, is completing her senior year at KIS.
Dear De Valois Family,
I am writing this letter to express my sincere gratitude for awarding me the Russell De Valois Scholarship and deciding to continue it for another academic year. This scholarship has helped me in many ways. Not only did it significantly reduce the financial burden, but it also gave me an opportunity to study at KIS and make the most out of my junior year here. Right from the start, I gave highest priority to my academics and as a result, it got me on the Principal’s list with a GPA of 3.8.
But at the same time, I involved myself in a variety of extracurriculars to develop my other skills too. I have a liking for nature and hence decided to hike and at the end of the hiking season I earned a Tahr pin along with the innumerable lessons only outdoors could offer. Besides hiking, I was also part of the basketball team and an entrepreneurship club and will continue the club by leading it as the president for my senior year. In addition to the classes and clubs, life in dorm and living in an international community has given me a priceless experience and pleasant memories.
Overall, my time at KIS has been wonderful and extremely enriching and this wouldn’t have been possible without your generosity. I would once again like to thank you for awarding me this scholarship and I am eagerly looking forward for another year to learn beyond the books and live the “Kodai experience” to the fullest.
Yours sincerely,
Anuja Baldota
KIS Class of 2021
by kfi | Aug 24, 2021 | Announcements, Archives, Projects - completed |
Dear KIS Alumni and Friends,
We want to express our deep appreciation to all of you who joined us in our recent Kodai Friends International (KFI) Leadership Matching Gift Challenge.
Thanks to the generosity of those who donated, KFI met – and in fact exceeded – our goal and raised $110,072 by the end of June to support two important and worthwhile projects at KIS and in the Kodaikanal community, both of which have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Education in Kodai Project (EKP), initiated by KIS students, will improve the educational outcomes for many children in Kodaikanal and surrounding villages that have suffered from the pandemic. Corey Stixrud, KIS Principal, in expressing appreciation for your support, writes:
“On behalf of all of us here at KIS, please accept our gratitude. Your contributions have been essential during an extremely difficult time for the people of Kodai. The vast majority of young people in our town have simply not had access to school, even virtually, for over 16 months. Your generosity has allowed us to supply learning materials for students, build classroom and IT infrastructure in local government and government-aided schools, and conduct professional development sessions for over 200 teachers so far. The principal of one of our partner schools put it best: “KIS and the Education in Kodai Project has been a godsend to the community. You have provided many things, but the best thing you have provided the students and teachers of Kodaikanal is hope for a brighter future.”
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Photos were taken during the inauguration ceremony of the Education in Kodai Project
at the CSI Middle School in Packiapuram where a computer lab, art room, spoken English room (with projector and screen), and waste management bins have been
installed.
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KFI has already transferred all funds raised as of the end of June to KIS where they can be immediately put to use to meet the needs of the school and the community in these challenging times.
Scholarships for KIS students continue to be an urgent need at KIS as many KIS families have faced economic difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, making it difficult to continue their KIS education without financial assistance.
While the Leadership Matching Gift Challenge has ended, you can still support the KIS COVID-19 Relief Fund by donating online at https://www.kfi-us.org/donate-kfi/ or by sending a check to KFI at the address listed below.
With appreciation for the difference you have made in the lives of students in Kodai and at KIS through your support.
Stan Kuruvilla Jane Cummings
President, KFI KFI Board Member
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Emotional Wellbeing Teacher Training
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Eco-Club and Teacher Training on Waste Management
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by kfi | Apr 26, 2021 | Announcements, Archives |
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