YuvaMandal is a youth committee of adolescents who are in grade 9th through 12th. The committee was formed in 1995 to promote Marathi and Indian culture to these group of adolescents and teenagers.Every year a new committee is elected . The group selects their own president secretary and treasurer. The YuvaMandal has grown since 1995. The YuvaMandal members are supervised by a adult adviser who is the SMM executive committee member. Under the supervision the YuvaMandal has been involved in several activities including helping for all SMM events,MC ING Ganesha Chaturti children's program in our own Marathi language ,conducting food drive,spending day at northwest harvest to help package food and coordinating sports for SMM picnic and much more. These activities have brought teenagers together with extended friendship and bonding.The work they do also gives them community work credit hours required for graduation.

Several of these children have written articles in SARATHI and spred their knowledge and talent.Bottom line is that YuvaMandal activities have promoted healthy cultural social and academic growth in these young children .

I am proud to be the SMM executive committee member to be YuvaMandal adviser for this year.

From January 2009 until now following are the activities YuvaMandal group has been involved in.

• SANKRANT: the kids had stall for children selling pop and water, face painting, board games and henna painting.
• YuvaMandal members helped in the musical event sponsored by SMM in February.
• YuvaMandal group staged a fashion show for the Holi Hungama event and also did some publicity and fund raising for RELAY FOR LIFE.

13 of YuvaMandal members and three adults participated in RELAY FOR LIFE 24 HOURS WALK on May 30-May31, 2009.

They got BEST ROOKIE TEAM AWARD for being most enthusiastic team. This is a big achievement for the YuvaMandal group.

Last but not least we want to congratulate six of our YuvaMandal youngsters graduating from high school this year.

Chaitrali Pimparkar: will be going to University of Washington.
Neha Jejurikar: will be going to Georgetown in WASH DC.
Richa Pardikar: will be going to John Hopkins.
Surabhi Nirkhe: will be going to DUKE UNIVERSITY.
Tejas Ranade: will be going to University of Washington.
Pratik Keni: will be going to University of Washington.

We SMM members on behalf of the whole Marathi community wish these youngsters a hearty congratulation and all the best for their future.

Any questions on YUVA mandal or activities can be directed to Shaila Kode.