Jain Center by Dhaval

Jain Center by Dhaval - December 2019 Scholarship Essay

The weekly classes and events I have attended since I was 3 years old at the Jain Center of Southern California have had an unparalleled impact on shaping my unique identity. Every few months, cultural events and religious festivals are hosted that engage and bring everyone in the community together regardless of age, socioeconomic class, gender, etc. In America, a mixing pot of diversity, these events remind me to value my own diversity and identity, consisting of my cultural heritage, ancestry, and history. These events were special to me, and when I realized that teenagers actually coordinated and executed many of these festivals via the Jain Center Youth Committee (JCYC), I immediately applied in 8th grade.
I was excited to be a part of JCYC, and I pushed myself while putting on these events, always going the extra mile. I only saw my identity grow stronger seeing entire families bonding, friends reuniting, and special memories created that will last forever. These efforts did not go unnoticed, and I became co-vice president at the end of 10th grade. My dedication persisted throughout the year, and I learned the skills needed to coordinate events and lead my fellow committee members. I became co-president at the end of 11th grade, ready to present and implement ideas I had in order to enhance these events and the impact they leave. This position has helped me develop my collaboration, problem solving, and conflict resolution skills through weekly meetings with 50+ committee members and conference calls with board members. We work together with the same goal in mind: to continue the inspiration drawn from these cultural events.
I am glad to have this opportunity to give back and inspire the next generation to continue growing our beloved community. While balancing school commitments, I will continue my roles through local Jain chapters at UC and their neighboring communities, and continue to participate in and help organize cultural events to rekindle people’s sense of identity in their busy lives and leave a lasting impact, just like it did for me.