May 2011

C O N N E C T I O NLEUVA

23

ScholarshipLEUVA

‘A fantastic initiative for the youth’

After receiving the $1,000 merit scholarship from the Leuva Patidar Samaj Foundation, I want to thank the committee for this award. It means a great deal to me to know that I have the support of the Indian community as I enter college and a new road in my life. I carry pride with the ‘Patel’ name every day when I go the to UCLA, knowing that hard work and dedication will allow me to achieve academic as well as person goals. In the future, I wish to inspire the youth of our community, and attempt to encourage them to succeed in their respective lives. I want to give back to the very community that assisted me through my college experience and my life. The lofty goats and expectations that I have placed in my life push me to strive for the best and I will always be an Indian living in an American society. Once again, thank you for the scholarship.’

Amar Vanmali, son of Jagubhai and Nilaben Patel

‘I would like to thank the members of the scholarship committee in awarding the $1,000 merit scholarship. Keep up the good work and keep supporting education as it will bring lots of rewards for the samaj in the times to come. We as a society are wasting a lot of money on wedding expenses. Many communities in India are having mass weddings. A few suggestions: Every two years, when we hold our Leuva Convention, we can encourage our youth to get married at that time. This way we will have a successful conven-tion and big attendance. Furthermore, divide scholarships into two groups, need-based and merit-based. Moreover, you can avoid asking for family members’ name and village. Thanks a lot.’

Jagubhai Patel (Sampura), Los Angeles, California

‘Thank you for awarding me a Leuva Patidar Samaj scholar-ship. I have worked hard throughout school in my community. My family and I are very grateful and we ensure that this money is going towards a good cause - my education. I have finished my first semester at the University Of South Carolina Honors College and it has been a success. I am majoring in Biological Sciences with minors in Chemistry and Spanish. After I graduate from the University of South Carolina, I plan to attend medical school to become a doctor. I always keep my heritage and culture in mind in all my endeavors. Our values and customs are a part of my daily life, even in college, and I plan on keeping it that way. For instance, I am a member of my university’s Indian Cultural Exchange. Moreover, once I become a settled physician, I plan on organizing trips to India so that I can offer free clinical services. In college, I have helped my community by volunteering at the local Free Medical Clinic. Additionally, I work for Habitat for Humanity. I understand the importance of giving back to the community as I volunteered on numerous occasions throughout high school. Please let me know if there are any opportunities for me to help the LPS Community in any way, shape, or form, as I plan on becoming an active member of the LPS Community as an adult.’

Aakash R Patel

‘I would like to thank you for the generous scholarship dona-tion for the pursuit of my educational goals. I truly value both the financial and moral support of the LPS community. I look forward to continue inspiring our youth to strive for higher education. Thank you, once again, for your support over the last four years of my medical training. I am very excited to graduate this year.’

Dharmi Patel

Aakash Patel Jigna Patel

Kyati Patel

Dharmi Patel

Leuvas and scholarship recipients share how the LPS Scholarship programme has impacted their lives...

Jasmina Patel

LPS FOUNDATION INC.2010 Scholarship Receipients

1. Rahul Magan CA $2500.002. Dharmi B. Patel CA $2500.003. Jigna A. Patel FL $2500.004. Jatin R. Patel FL $2000.005. Priyank Patel TN $2000.006. Jashmina Kunwerjibhai TN $2000.007. Akash Patel SC $2000.008. Shawn A. Pael FL $2000.009. Khyati N. Patel FL $1000.0010. Sagar Desai FL $1000.00---------------------------------------------------------------- Total $19500.00