Edition 2 - CAS Council

 The Gaudium Gazette

Issue - #2 Thursday, December 5th

Meet Our Core CAS Council Members

“Celebrating the Spirit of CAS” - a short note from our CAS Facilitator, Archana Shukla

As a CAS Coordinator, I have the privilege of witnessing students embark on journeys that transcend the boundaries of classrooms and syllabi. CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) is not just a core component of the IB Diploma Programme; it is a transformative experience that fosters empathy, creativity, and resilience.

Over the years, I have seen students overcome challenges and discover their passions through unique initiatives. From organizing community outreach programs to showcasing artistic talents and engaging in personal CAS pursuits, each CAS experience reflects the individuality of our learners. The collaborative spirit that emerges during projects, the self-awareness gained from reflection, and the tangible impact on communities are testimonies to the power of CAS in shaping global citizens.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of my role is guiding students as they connect their academic pursuits with real-world applications. Whether it’s co-organising a TEDx event, raising awareness about educational disparity issues, or mentoring younger peers, each endeavour reinforces the values of responsibility, innovation, and leadership.

CAS teaches us that growth happens not only in the achievements we celebrate but also in the lessons we learn from setbacks. It’s a joy to watch students evolve into compassionate individuals ready to make meaningful contributions to the world.

I am proud to be part of this incredible journey and to see our students leave a legacy of purpose, impact, and inspiration.

CAS AMBASSADOR

Satvika Jupalli

Hi, my name is Satvika Jupalli and I’m from IBDP-2. I’m the CAS ambassador for this school year. CAS stands for creativity, activity, and service, and not only is CAS an integral part of the IBDP curriculum, it is a means of personal growth and discovery. 

Personally, I have always been interested in community service related endeavors. The feeling of helping others, sharing stories, and connecting is rewarding as well as eye opening. Community service fosters empathy as well as creates a positive change in society. A small action from one person can have a ripple effect into many people's lives. Something that may take a little effort from you can make someone else’s day.

I was inspired to take this role due to my personal experience of what CAS is and what it can do for others. One clear moment of this was our first Shiksha event, where we visited a model school to teach students about debate. Although it was out of my comfort zone, I still managed to put my anxieties aside. Talking to the children there had made their day as well as ours. The bond that was created in those short hours was eye opening. 

My goals as CAS ambassador for this school year is to not only take part in CAS events but to also create that opportunity for others, to foster this type of environment and maybe even spark self development and create new experiences for others. 

We have quite a few events planned for September such as our first Shiksha visits, medical camp and more. We also have plans for Seva and we will soon begin our work for Swastha. We hope to have many successful events in the future. 

Shiksha Head 

Parnita Reddy Pandugala 

 

I have been deeply involved in CAS since the start of DP1, with Shiksha being one of the first initiatives I joined and instantly cherished. This experience ignited my passion and belief in my ability to take on the role of Shiksha Head. Alongside my friends, I also founded the film club, where we successfully completed around 15 projects for our college portfolios in the span of a year. Leading and planning these projects has equipped me with the skills necessary for this role. Shiksha offers students a unique opportunity to gain a new perspective on life. Through our activities, we, the students, don't just teach; we rather form bonds with the children and become mentors who guide them, often without realizing it. Our goal, I believe, is to inspire bravery and a broad understanding of life in the students we teach. While making an impact is important, helping students in even the smallest ways is what truly matters. The Shiksha Team has meticulously planned numerous activities designed to support children in innovative ways this year. My focus this academic year will be on ensuring that the students under my care experience the same growth, connection, and learning that I did through Shiksha last year. I am committed to making this journey both informative and memorable for everyone involved.

Swastha Head

Anika Verma

Hi, I’m Anika Verma, an IBDP Year 2 student with a deep passion for healthcare and a strong desire to pursue a career in medicine. Throughout my academic journey, I’ve been dedicated to seeking out volunteering opportunities that allow me to connect my interests with real-world impact. Whether it’s working with Blue Cross to support their efforts in animal welfare or shadowing doctors and volunteering in the ER at UPMC Passavant, each experience has brought me closer to my goal of making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Being part of the CAS Council offers me the opportunity to give back to my school community by creating more avenues for students to explore their passions and engage in meaningful service. At the core of this initiative is the belief that health is the foundation of life. I’m particularly focused on ensuring that people are well-informed about healthcare and have access to widespread medical knowledge. 

By promoting awareness and understanding of health-related topics, we empower individuals to make informed decisions about their well-being. Together, we can create a community where service and awareness in areas like healthcare truly make an impact.I am excited about the potential for change that CAS holds, and I’m eager to work with my peers to build a culture of service that encourages action, fosters creativity, and ultimately empowers students to make a lasting impact. Together, we can create opportunities for students like me to explore their passions, expand their horizons, and contribute to causes that matter.

Seva Head

Vineet Koushal 

Since I've grown to be a highschool student,  my dad has always told me one thing, that I should strive to positively influence everyone I meet in my life, and that I should, on top of being a good student or anything else, be a good human being. One way I can stick to these tenets of my life is through CAS.  Giving back to the community gives me the opportunity to not only be a better human being, but also positively influence those around me that need it.

My goals for Seva are to elevate the program and increase its outreach.  In previous years, we’ve seen that while yes, seva has been prevalent, we really don't see much happen in the name of seva, and thus see a lack thereof of student participation,  thus my goal this year is to become more proactive, and introduce more initiatives that bring Seva to the forefront of cas at the Gaudium school.

As of late, I've been continuously working alongside the NGO I'm a part of, Besa, actively reaching and interacting with people all throughout Hyderabad and enriching the lives of the not so fortunate through charity work. I also actively run in 5k and 10k runs in the name of good causes, like running for girl child.

Personally, the biggest challenge for me recently has been finding the time to balance my schoolwork and actively doing things like CAS.  As a DP2 student, I find myself actively with so much schoolwork that it’s hard to find a balance between the two.  Fortunately, for me, studying isn’t very difficult, and I often can spare an hour or two a day doing other CAS related things.

When I was younger, I’d usually throw out any halloween candies I wouldn’t like, a quite wasteful practice now that I look back on it!  But one day, I decided to take all of those candies, and tell my dad that I want to give it to a homeless person.  Eventually, we came across one at a signal,  with the man asking for money, my dad opened my window and I handed him the bag of halloween candies.  His face brightening up on that day was enough for me to develop a core memory and intimate love for helping others that will stick for life!

Editor-in-Chief : Anika Verma (anikaverma867@gmail.com)