Thanksgiving Message from KIS Principal Corey Stixrud
A recording of Quad Talks featuring Principal Corey Stixrud’s Thanksgiving message may be seen here: Quad Talks | Thanksgiving Message from Principal Corey Stixrud – YouTube
An Alumni Story – Bill Martin, ’70
Stuti Susan Jerald James – DeJong Music Award Recipient 2020
The Keith and Marcine DeJong Music Award is given annually from their legacy investment in recognition of KIS’ top music students(s) at Awards
Assembly each May. Congratulations to Stuti Susan Jerald James, who received the award in May of 2020!
To Kodai Friends International (KFI),I am honoured to be the recipient of the ‘DeJong Memorial Music Scholarship Award’ for the year 2020. I, Stuti Susan Jerald James, am a native of Kodaikanal. I have been at KIS since Grade 5 and have cherished the many opportunities that have been provided at KIS, especially those pertaining to music. This scholarship award is very special as my parents have been working at KIS for over 20 years now, and have known members of the DeJong family personally including Bruce, Garry and Suzanne. I am thankful to the DeJong family for this prestigious
recognition.
I have always had a passion for music and have been keen on developing my skills in this field. I have utilised every opportunity at hand to exhibit my skills, including accompaniments for assemblies and chapel services as well as performances on several occasions such as my graduation. Music has been a crucial part of my life and will continue to do so. Though I plan to major in psychology in university, I wish to continue learning music. Having completed my ABRSM Grade 6 in Piano, I hope to work my way up to a Diploma in Piano, and I believe that the money that accompanies this award will support me in doing so.
I would once again like to thank you for this appreciation.
Sincerely,
Stuti Susan Jerald James
KIS Class of 2020
Minneapolis Chapter Luncheon – 12 October 2019
Dear Kodai Friends,
Mimi Lindell, Nancy Garrison, Lisa Lindell, Lynn Stoltz, Joe Kessler, Marion Greene, Wendy Riber, Mark Garrison
Marty Grubbs Rittman, Jacquie Hagstrom, Lydia Rittman, Miriam Naumann, Paul Wiebe, Vic Hagstrom, Donna Beth Wiebe, Lu Carman, Bob Carman
On our first day of snow this Winter, we had 29 folks come out for Kodai Lunch. We were honored by participation of Dr. Paul and Mrs. Donna Beth Wiebe from Iowa City. Others who honored us included Dr. Bob and Mrs. Lu Carmen, Rev Mark and Mrs. Nancy Garrison, Dr. Miriam Naumann and Mr. Ken Kaufman with daughters Peggy and Sue, Mrs. Judy Kessler and son Mr. Joe Kessler, Mrs. Lydia Rittmann, Mr. John and Mrs. Faye Naumann, Mr. Vic and Mrs. Carol Hagstrom, and sister Jacquie Hagstrom, Mr, Kris and Mrs. Wendy Riber, sisters Mrs. Mimi and Mrs. Lisa Lindell, Mrs. Marion Greene, Mrs. Lynn Stolz, Mr. Joel Otten, Dr. Steve Zorn, Mrs. Denise Cochran (ex Delhi International), and Mrs. Marty Grubbs and husband Joe Rittmann. Please find two pics attached. Regrets were received from Mr. Paul and Mrs. Margaret Christensen and daughter Elsa and granddaughter, Mrs. Pauline Yardy, Mr. Rob Ramer, Rev. Dale Howard (Woodstock) and Dr. Debby Choi.
Food was plenty, highlighting Coorg Pandi, Awadhi Biriyani, Rajasthani Khad, Murgh Musallam, along with dal with zucchini, tomato curry, and Kashmiri pulao. Along with potluck, Miriam’s dal, Jacquie’s samosas, and other many pots, thanks.
According to the four main themes for funding given out by KIS, a total of $390.00 was donated to KFI for KIS Environment and $30 for KIS Scholarship Fund for a total of $420. These funds were sent to Mrs. Sylvia Trautmann Rogers, administrator of KFI, for handling to KIS. Please also find attached a report of the local huts at Poondi Nature Center that our funds made possible.
Next Kodai Lunch is planned for April 18, 2020, Saturday at noon at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, St. Paul, MN.
Thanks to all for contribution of potluck savories, dal, rice. Thanks to Mart for setting up and to Kris and Wendy for cooking and for tea. And a huge thanks to Carol, Jacquie and others for washing and all others who helped clear (I didn’t get back to the sink to see who all helped, thanks.). And to all of you who are off to India, safe traveling.
Stay warm. Drive safe this winter.
Cheers, Joe (Rittman)
Spotlight on Sophia Lirhoni Mozhui, Recipient of the Keith DeJong Music Assembly Awards 2019
Sophia Mozhui came to KIS, from Nagaland, in search of its multicultural environment where students could interact and learn from each other. Sophia joined KIS with much reluctance from her mother to send her daughter far away from home. Today, Sophia and her family have had no regrets about her decision to join KIS.
Coming from a family heritage of music, Sophia was thrilled to learn about the music program at KIS. She already had a dream to play the violin since a child. “Music has always been a constant force in my life. One day while watching the Tom and Jerry Show on television I saw, Tom play the violin. Ironically it was this scene that inspired me to learn the violin since then,” recounts Sophia.
“Ever since I got a hold of my first violin it has become an extension of my body. Playing the violin always took me to another realm of freedom and expression that words could not provide. Music kept me grounded and rooted. It brought out and improved my ability to articulate my thoughts,” she continues.
“At KIS I had one of the best violin teachers hands down! KIS gave me the experience of playing in a school orchestra. I also became the orchestra master. Through the school’s music field trips, it gave me the opportunity to go to different places. My favorite experience includes performing at the Association for Music in International Schools (AMIS) music festival in Singapore,” shares Sophia.
Recently, Sophia attained the Keith Dejong Memorial Music Scholarship to use towards her passion for music. “Being chosen for such a prestigious scholarship fills me with deep gratitude. I am thankful to KIS for supporting my passion for music while I was a student here. To be awarded this scholarship has really motivated me to further pursue my hand in music.”
Sophia leaves school with mixed emotions of excitement and anxious anticipation, ready to embrace the new chapter in her college life. Sophia has committed to attend Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, pursuing a Major in Business Administration and a Minor in her biggest passion – Music.
– Manjusha Ninan, Alumni Coordinator
Summary of KFI Board of Directors Meeting, 24 September 2018
KFI welcomed three new members to the KFI Board of Directors: Jane Cummings (Class of ’57), Martin Messick (Class of ’83) and Jagat Sheth (Class of ’87). Other board members present for the video conference meeting were Bill Martin (President), Vijay Naidu (VP), Mary Coleman Lowry (Treasurer), Akshay Birla, Daryl Miller and David Piet, as well as ex officio members Corey Stixrud (KIS Principal) and Sylvia Rogers (KFI Administrator). KIS Chief Marketing Officer Stephanie Cauvet and KIS Alumni Coordinator Manjusha Ninan also participated as Invitees.
Highlights of the board meeting:
- The board passed a budget with a goal of raising $50.000 in the July 2018 through June 2019 fiscal year.
- The KIS Alumni Office’s current focus is to update its alumni records. Many alumni email addresses are not longer valid and many alumni have no contact information at all. Facebook and class reps are being used to reach out to those alumni.
- The donated hospital equipment to Van Allen Hospital arrived safely. KIS generously funded the in-country shipment and customs clearance expense to bring the donated equipment to Kodai.
- The formation of several committees took place. A Development Office Committee was formed to establishe a Development Office at KIS responsible for fundraising worldwide. Other committees include Finance, Nominating and Fundraising/Communications.
Please contact Sylvia Rogers, KFI Administrator, at admin@kfi-us.org, or any of the board members, click Board, for further information and clarification of the issues discussed.