On October 4th, the VTS Club at Linganore High School organized a stadium cleanup event, promoting community service and environmental responsibility. The event took place from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, during which club members worked together to collect trash and maintain the cleanliness of the school's stadium and surrounding campus. *A Message from the Youth Leader* "I'd like to extend my gratitude to the following students for their participation and dedication to this initiative: - Mahnoor Choudry - CJ Hopkins - Chase McNiesh - Blake McNiesh - Henry Harne - David Harne - Kai Cutts - Stephanie Jones - Briana Williams - Alex Groves - Raneen Fattah - Eden Vogel - Erin Plugge - Ashley Adetolu - Bhavya Yarlagadda - Madhav Jaitly Their collective efforts have contributed significantly to the upkeep of our school's facilities. I'm proud to be a part of this initiative and look forward to future community service events." *Jack Shao* Youth Leader, VT Seva Maryland LHS VTS Club Senior, Linganore High School

VT Seva Maryland, in collaboration with the American Red Cross, hosted a successful blood drive at the Landsdale Clubhouse on August 16, 2025. The event saw 34 individuals register, with 25 generous donors contributing blood, potentially saving up to 75 lives. Led by Youth Leader Mahati Konduri, the event showcased exceptional dedication and community spirit. VT Seva Maryland extends gratitude to the American Red Cross team, volunteers, and donors who made this event possible.

VT Seva Maryland celebrated India's 79th Independence Day with a vibrant parade & cultural festivities! 🇮🇳 Highlights included national anthems, traditional attire, speeches, face painting, henna, & handprint memories. Thanks to amazing volunteers & community for making it special! Led by Youth Leader Mridula Vasudevan

The VT SEVA Maryland Summer Camp, led by youth leader Mridula Vasudevan in July 2025, has successfully concluded. The camp provided students with valuable academic instruction to prepare them for the upcoming school year, alongside engaging activities such as dancing, singing, yoga, and arts and crafts that fostered creativity, mindfulness, and fun. Where friendships are real, the marker stains are permanent, and every single day was a wild attempt to fit math, English, games, dance, singing, reading, art, and crafts into a few short hours. This group didn’t just attend camp, they took over. If camp were a TV show, these kids were the stars, the directors, and probably the entire writing team. We experienced plot twists, spontaneous musicals, dramatic math meltdowns, and spelling bee rivalries that felt like Olympic events. Some came to learn. Some came to perform. Some came to quietly draw on themselves with permanent markers and somehow walk out looking like abstract art. But every single one brought heart, humor, and something totally unforgettable. Students included: Sowmrita Banerjee Kushi Lokesh Subanya Saravana Bhava Swara Mettu Jayansh Jekka Varuni Vijai Geethansaathvik Thungathurthi Ameya Muddam Riya Mallavarapu Ayaansh Bejgam Surya Muddam Aahana Gupta -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mridula Vasudevan, Camp Leader, shares her experience: Leading this summer camp was a rewarding opportunity to help students grow academically and creatively. Each day brought new challenges—from teaching lessons to organizing activities—and allowed me to strengthen my leadership, communication, and organizational skills. As the lead, I coordinated with volunteers, managed the schedule, and served as the main point of contact for students and parents. This experience highlighted the importance of clear communication, flexibility, and teamwork in achieving our shared goals. I’m deeply grateful to the parents for their support, the students for their enthusiasm, and the volunteers for making each day meaningful. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Youth Leads’ Reflections Akul Pallerla: “This year’s summer camp was a wild ride of emotions, excitement, and overall fun. The kids were excellent and even though they were rowdy at times, they were well behaved and respectful. I’ve enjoyed this year, so I hope that next year will have the same energy!” Arjun Chintalapati: “Hi, I am Arjun Chintalapati and it was an amazing three weeks at the VT SEVA camp. It was my first time as a lead and I was able to work with the kids to grow their knowledge on math and English. This experience has taught me to be patient and communicate efficiently.” Taara Vasudevan: “Hi, my name is Taara Vasudevan and summer camp to me means that even in the chaos of kids, you can always be happy.” Inika Keranahalli: “This summer camp was a wonderful opportunity to connect with students and help them explore new ideas. Being part of such a vibrant team taught me the importance of collaboration and adaptability, and I’m grateful for the chance to contribute to the kids’ growth.” Anwesha Parida: “Working at the VT SEVA Summer Camp was an inspiring experience. I enjoyed seeing the children’s creativity and curiosity blossom, and it motivated me to keep improving my own leadership skills while supporting their learning journey.” -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Special Acknowledgments Thank you to: The students, for bringing joy, curiosity, and spirit to every activity The parents, for their continued support and trust in our program The youth leads, for their hard work, enthusiasm, and dedication throughout the camp -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Youth Leads – VT SEVA Maryland Summer Camp 2025 Inika Keranahalli Anwesha Parida Akul Pallerla Arjun Chintalapati Taara Vasudevan Each youth lead contributed meaningfully through lesson planning, student engagement, and daily coordination, gaining valuable experience in leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving. Their commitment was essential to the camp’s success. I am proud of what we accomplished together and look forward to future opportunities to serve our community through VT SEVA. — Mridula Vasudevan

VT Seva Maryland's youth leader, Akul Pallerla, successfully led the 2nd Annual SAMATHA Public Speaking competition on April 5,2025. Below is his account of the event, highlighting his journey and volunteer experience. Event Summary ----------------- On April 5th, from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, VT SEVA Maryland proudly hosted its 2nd Annual Public Speaking Competition. The event was a great success, bringing together over 18 enthusiastic students from both elementary and middle schools. Participants confidently showcased their creativity, eloquence, and public speaking skills. It was a wonderful opportunity for young speakers to express themselves and shine on stage. Acknowledgments -------------------- The success of this event would not have been possible without the unwavering support and heartfelt involvement of our amazing parents and volunteers. From the early stages of preparation to the final moments of the event, their guidance, encouragement, and generosity shone through. Their dedication created a warm, welcoming, and uplifting environment that truly inspired everyone involved. We are deeply grateful for their contribution. Empowering Youth Through Public Speaking ------------------------------------ This public speaking competition stands as a testament to the remarkable talent, creativity, and confidence of the young minds in our community. It reflects VT SEVA Maryland’s strong commitment to nurturing communication skills and leadership through the power of spoken words. We are excited to continue expanding this initiative and inspiring the next generation of confident speakers, thoughtful leaders, and changemakers. Thank you Judges! ------------------------- We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all those who made this event possible. A special appreciation goes out to our esteemed judges: * Dr. Joy Flagg * Mrs. Paula Ramirez * Mr. Vasudevan Akkoor Thank you for generously sharing your time, expertise, and thoughtful feedback as judges. Your dedication played a key role in encouraging and guiding our young speakers. We also extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the participants and their parents. Your hard work, preparation, and commitment truly brought this event to life. Your passion and effort were evident in every speech, and we are deeply grateful for your involvement and support. Thank you, Volunteers! ------------------------ Finally, our sincere thanks to the VT SEVA Maryland youth volunteers who played an integral role in organizing and conducting this event: * Yashmita Dillibabu * Arjun Chintalapati * Kaviya Karthickkumar * Mikaela Abobar * Mridula Vasudevan * Anay Pallerla * Taara Vasudevan Thank you so much to all the below adult volunteers of the VT Seva Maryland team who helped with set up, running the show, cleaning up, etc., * Mrs. Prashamsa Muppavaram * Mr. Dillibabu Venkateswaralu * Mrs. Sandhya Kakani * Mr. Vasudevan Akkoor * Mrs. Sobana Vasudevan Last but not the least, I want to thank the parents who helped make this event successful by participating, extending help where it is needed. The event would not have been successful without your support and cooperation. Thank you for your support, enthusiasm, and teamwork, it truly made a difference. Best regards, Akul Pallerla Vice President, Education Pillar VT SEVA Maryland

On March 29, 2025, VT Seva Maryland successfully conducted its 2nd annual SAMATHA Chess tournament. The event, led by Vivek Konduri, attracted numerous young participants, providing valuable learning experience in competitive chess and event management. Event Highlights and Lessons Learned The tournament offered a unique opportunity for kids to engage in a fun and educational competition, gaining insights into real-life event management. While the event was successful, Vivek Konduri reflected on areas for improvement, including: • Enhancing roster efficiency • Streamlining match pairings • Refining event logistics Acknowledging Key Contributors The success of the event was made possible by the collective efforts of dedicated youth leaders, including: • Vasudevan Akkoor • Sudha Konduri • Prashamsa Muppavaram • VT Seva Maryland Youth Leads - Mahati , Mahesh, Akul, Arjun, Anvitha, Akshith, Mridula Vasudevan, Akanksha, Yashmita Their contributions ensured a smooth and successful execution of the tournament.

VT Seva Maryland Hosts Successful 2nd Annual SAMATHA Science Fair Competition! VT Seva Maryland's youth leader, Mridula Vasudevan, successfully led the 2nd Annual SAMATHA Science Fair competition on March 23, 2025. Below is her account of the event, highlighting her journey and volunteer experience. Event Summary ----------------- On March 23rd, from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM, VT SEVA Maryland proudly hosted its 2nd Annual Science Fair. The event was a remarkable success, bringing together over 40 students who showcased an impressive range of innovative projects. The average score of 35.333 out of 40 demonstrated the outstanding quality, creativity, and dedication that participants put into their work. We are pleased to share the list of finalists: Individual Finalists * K-1: Radhika Raghavendra (Kindergarten), Sreshta Velamuri (1st Grade) * 2-3: Kabir Rajpurohit (3rd Grade), Liam Hartshorn (3rd Grade) * 4-6: Chetan Sai Kankanala (4th Grade), Velavan Murugesan (4th Grade) Group Finalists * Anay Pallerla and Vedansh Mudiganti * Jay Gupta Boorugu and Vihaan Muddada * Brick Benders (FLL Team) Acknowledgments -------------------- The success of this event was made possible by the tremendous engagement and support from parents and volunteers. Their guidance and encouragement played a crucial role, from the preparation stages to ensuring the smooth execution of the event. Their contributions created a welcoming and inspiring environment for everyone involved. Commitment to STEAM Education ------------------------------------ This science fair serves as a testament to the incredible talent within our community and reinforces VT SEVA Maryland’s ongoing commitment to promoting STEAM education among young minds. We are excited to continue growing this initiative and inspiring the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and leaders. Thank you Judges! ------------------------- We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all those who made this event possible. A special appreciation goes out to our esteemed judges: Mrs. Usha Santharam Mrs. Rebecca Clark Mrs. Jessica Walker Mr. Srinivas Pollisetty Thank you for your valuable time, expertise, and dedication in evaluating the projects and providing insightful feedback to the participants. We also want to acknowledge the parents and participants for their hard work and dedication. Your efforts in research, preparation, and execution brought this event to life, and we are deeply grateful for your involvement. Thank you Volunteers! ------------------------ Finally, our sincere thanks to the VT SEVA Maryland youth volunteers who played an integral role in organizing and conducting this event: Mahati Konduri Yashmita Dillibabu Akul Pallerla Arjun Chintalapati Rachel Laflotte Jasmine Gouhari Akshaj Mareddy Anvitha Nakka Akshith Byreddy Bhavya Yarlagadda Mikaela Abobar Sreedhav Jayaraman Shambav Jayaraman Parker Warburton Arjav Gupta Thank you so much to all the below adult volunteers of VT Seva Maryland team who helped with set up, running the show, clean up, etc., Mrs. Prashamsa Muppavaram Mr. Dillibabu Venkateswaralu Mrs. Seetha Jayaraman Mrs. Sandhya Kakani Mr. Vasudevan Akkoor Mrs. Sobana Vasudevan Thank you for your hard work, enthusiasm, and teamwork—it truly made a difference. Best regards, Mridula Vasudevan Director of Special Programs and Global Partnership, VT SEVA Maryland

*VT Seva Maryland Environmental Branch Hosts Successful Clothing Upcycling Event!* VT Seva Maryland Team was thrilled to share the success of our inaugural clothing upcycling event held on March 9th, 2025, at the Urbana Regional Library! Led by our Environment Branch President, Bhavya Yarlagadda, this event brought together community members of all ages to promote sustainability and creativity. *Event Highlights:* * Interactive activities: sun printing, fabric painting, and sewing * Transforming used clothes into unique creations: sun prints, scrunchies, and quilted bags *Dedicated team of volunteers:* Mridula Vasudevan, Anvi Nakka, Vivek Konduri, Samira Ammar, Chase Williams, Harrison Sauer, Taara Vasudevan *Special Thanks:* Vicki Nellis, Sobana Vasudevan, Vasudevan Akkoor, and Suneeta Yarlagadda for their generous support Witnessing the excitement and creativity of our young participants made every effort worthwhile. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this event!

VT Seva Maryland Youth Leaders conducted a Mental Health Awareness workshop at Urbana regional library. On Feb 22, 2025, the VT Seva Maryland Youth Leaders conducted a Mental Health Awareness workshop using slime as a stress reliever for elementary school students. The event was mainly for kids to understand about the mental health, youth leads did a presentation on the mental health. Event Report by Divya Puttana, Youth Leader (Who lead this event) I am very happy to share the support and success of our recent event, where we presented an informative slideshow on the Mental health and how its is important in the overall growth of a child. One of the activity mentioned in the slide was about slime making and how slime making can bring happiness in young minds. The event overall went smoothly and all the kids had a lot of fun! 15 kids attended this event and were very excited about making colorful slimes. I extend my sincere gratitude to the following volunteers who helped make this event possible: Sana Shenoy, Akanksha Subramaniam, Laasya Keesara,Anvitha Nakka, Bhavya Yarlagadda, Rohan Putthana, Pushpak Keesara, and Srihaan Polishetty.I also want to thank adult Volunteers my dad Srinivasa Putthana, Dillibabu uncle, Sobana Aunty, Vasu Uncle, and all the volunteers for helping and making sure everything went as planned!

On January 26, 2025, the VT Seva Maryland Youth Leaders conducted a free educational presentation on heart health, targeting middle and elementary school students. The engaging event aimed to educate youngsters about the heart's functionality and promote healthy habits. Event Report by Sana Shenoy, Youth Leader (Who lead this event) I am thrilled to share the success of our recent event, where we presented an informative slideshow on the heart, covering its structure, purpose, diseases, surgeries, and preventive measures. To make learning fun and interactive, we conducted a hands-on science experiment, simulating the heart's pumping action using a balloon, jar, and straw. Following the experiment, participants completed worksheets to reinforce their understanding of the presented material. To further engage the students, we organized a heart-themed bingo game, offering prizes for correct answers. The event concluded with a creative activity, where students decorated paper hearts and pledged to adopt at least one healthy habit to prevent heart disease. Event Highlights and Acknowledgments The event was a resounding success, with over 16 students attending and demonstrating a keen interest in learning about heart health. I extend my sincere gratitude to the following volunteers who helped make this event possible: Divya Putthana Akanksha Subramaniam Laasya Keesara Yashmita Dillibabu Mridula Vasudevan Akul Pallerla Inika Keranahalli Their dedication and support were instrumental in making this event an enjoyable and educational experience for all participants.

VT Seva Maryland team supports Maryland Feeding Hope Program A small write up below from the lead Mridula Vasudevan. ‐--‐---------------------‐--------------------‐------------------- On January 25th, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the VT SEVA Maryland team actively supported the Feeding Hope program through a creative and engaging fundraising effort. This initiative took place during the Frederick Tamil Sdgchool Pongal Festival, which celebrated the rich cultural heritage of the Tamil holiday. As part of our efforts, we set up a Henna Stand, offering beautiful henna designs to attendees while spreading awareness about the cause. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we successfully raised over $20 in donations. Additionally, we campaigned regarding the Feeding Hope Program during the Heart Presentation Event on January 26th, 2025. These contributions will help provide meals to those in need, reinforcing our commitment to serving and uplifting others. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to: - **Akanksha Subramaniam** - **Sana Shenoy** For enabling us to present our organization in an organized and professional manner. We would also like to thank the VT SEVA MD Volunteers and representatives of the Feeding Hope program for their amazing support during our fundraising efforts at the Frederick Tamil School Pongal Festival: - *Mahati Konduri* - *Sandhya Ji (Feeding Hope Rep)* - *Lasya* - *Chetan* - *Vivek Konduri* - *Mahesh Chandra Gandam* - *Bhavya Yarlagadda* Your dedication and support have made a tremendous impact, and we look forward to continuing our commitment to the Feeding Hope program through future initiatives! Thank you once again, Mridula Vasudevan

The VT Seva Maryland Youth Team successfully organized a henna event, raising funds for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). Below is a report from Akanksha Subramaniam, the youth leader who led the initiative: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ A Successful Henna Event for a Noble Cause On January 25, 2025, I had the opportunity to organize a henna event at Urbana Middle School. This experience allowed me to develop my time management skills and work effectively under pressure. I am thrilled to report that the event was a resounding success. With the help of my team, we provided henna services to numerous children and raised $86 for LLS. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Fredrick Tamil School for providing us with the opportunity to host this event. I would also like to thank the following individuals for their invaluable support and assistance: Mahati Konduri Mridula Vasudevan Mahesh Chandra Gandam Sana Shenoy Divya Putthana Vivek Konduri Bhavya Yarlagadda Laasya Keesara Their contributions were instrumental in making this event a success, and I truly appreciate their time and effort. Sincerely, Akanksha Subramaniam

From December 18th- December 24 I led a Toys for Donation Charity drive. This event taught me about time management and how important reaching out to people for help is. Reaching out to people really helped me since I would not have been able to get all the toys myself, so communication was key for this event. Something I would do different in the future is is reach out to more parents rather than a majority of kids, as this would help spread the word more and create more interest to donate. Overall in my opinion this event was very successful and I am glad I got the chance to lead it. -Akanksha Subramaniam

In early November, I had the privilege of organizing a community candy drive, an initiative aimed at spreading joy and appreciation to our local first responders. This project was not only an opportunity to bring the community together but also a meaningful way to show our gratitude to those who serve and protect us daily. The candy drive began on November 1st, when we started collecting donations from five different addresses. Over the course of nine days, from November 1st to November 9th, our team worked diligently to gather as many contributions as possible. Each collection was met with kindness and generosity, reflecting the strong sense of community that defines us. After completing the collection phase, we turned our focus to preparation. We sorted the candy with care, ensuring it was ready to be repackaged into delightful goodie bags. Alongside these treats, we created heartfelt thank-you cards, each one a small token of appreciation for the tireless efforts of our first responders. Vt Seva Maryland's volunteers Harshita, Daksh, Deechu, Kaviya, Bhavya, Tatvik, and I helped with this task. On December 20th, the culmination of our efforts took place. VT Seva Maryland volunteers Vivek, Mahesh, Taara, Mridula, Bhavya, Yashmita,and I along with our branch director Sobana aunty visited the Frederick County Sheriff's Office, the local police station, and the fire station to personally hand out the goodie bags. Meeting these incredible individuals face-to-face was a humbling experience. Their smiles and gratitude reinforced the importance of acknowledging their hard work and dedication. This candy drive was a true team effort, made possible by the support of volunteers and community members. I am deeply grateful to everyone who contributed their time, donations, and creativity to make this initiative a success. Your involvement not only brought joy to our first responders but also strengthened the bonds within our community. Thank you for helping to turn this vision into a reality and for continuing to support our collective mission of kindness and appreciation. -Anvitha Nakka (VT Seva Maryland Social Media President) & Tatvik Mandalapu

VT Seva Maryland Team Hosts Successful On November 24th, 2024, the VT Seva Maryland team organized a comprehensive CPR training session, aligned with the American Heart Association's (AHA) guidelines. This engaging and informative experience equipped participants with essential skills to respond effectively in emergency situations. The training covered critical topics, including CPR techniques, burn management, abdominal thrusts for choking victims, and effective blood loss control. Through hands-on scenarios, participants learned the importance of remaining calm and decisive during emergencies, while also emphasizing teamwork and quick thinking. This experience not only imparted knowledge about CPR and emergency response but also provided practical skills that can be applied in daily life. Participants gained confidence in handling situations involving burns, choking, blood loss, and cardiac emergencies. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Ms. Sharon and Ms. Tamara for their expertise and guidance throughout the training. We are proud to announce that the following youth leaders are now CPR certified and ready to respond in case of need: - Mridula Vasudevan - Mahati Konduri - Yashmita Dillibabu - Inika Keranahalli - Sreedhav Jayaraman - Hasini Viswasarathy - Divya Putthana - Akanksha Subramaniam - Sana Shenoy I appreciate everyone who contributed to the success of this event. I am grateful for the opportunity to lead this initiative. Thank you, Mridula Vasudevan Youth President, VT Seva Maryland Team