May is high school graduation month – the culmination of years of hard work and dedication for both students and parents. This edition of our newsletter shines a spotlight on the incredible achievements of our graduating high school seniors. Congratulations to the Class of 2024 and wishing you the very best in your future endeavors!
Last month, a group of dedicated COMA patrons ran the Cap City Quarter and Half marathons. Anoop Joseph Babu has penned a captivating writeup of the beautiful journey that led the team triumphantly to the finish line. Congratulations, finishers! It’s a true testament to your passion and unwavering spirit!
As the school year comes to an end and summer vacations begin, many of you may be eagerly planning visits to family in India or exciting getaways. Wishing you all safe travels and memorable adventures, and may you return rejuvenated from your journeys. For those remaining in Ohio, wishing you a delightful summer and unforgettable moments!
— Smitha Nishant
Tuskers Running Club – Anoop Joseph Babu
(Anoop lives in Dublin with his wife Neethu and two kids. He’s an avid badminton and cricket player, and a big fan of running and soccer.)
The date was April 27th, 2024. It was a cool cloudy morning, and a stiff breeze was blowing. The energy around was palpable as 11,000 odd people converged on downtown Columbus for the Cap City Half Marathon. There we were among that sea of humanity, more than fifty of us from Team Tuskers, boisterously chatting away, being loud as ever, ready to run what was, for many of us, our first marathon. Of course, what event is complete without some Malayali participation?
All this started a few months back when Austin Pereira embarked on creating a “Columbus Tuskers marathon runners’ group” with the (one would have thought) unrealistic goal of getting COMA members off their couches and in their running shoes, that too in the middle of the Ohio winter.
Then, lo behold, something magical started happening, the group started swelling as, one by one, folks joined, inspired maybe by overindulgences during Thanksgiving and Christmas (like yours truly) or truly to challenge themselves.
The plan was to run every Saturday, and run we did, puffing and panting, cramping, and straining. There were the regulars, and every week we saw more new faces. With Austin’s tireless encouragement and enthusiasm, the engagement we saw was truly amazing and I would like to think it motivated us all. It was not all pain, we had fun together. We saw the trees transform from bare branches to leaves and flowers, and the silence replaced by chirping of birds, as we ran through the barrenness of winter into the green of spring. Slowly but surely, we started to run better and further, pushing our body and mind a bit more every time.
Back to race day, as our group was allowed to start, each of us knew that it would be a test of the body and more importantly the mind, it would not be easy, exactly the reason why we signed up. The nervous energy and euphoria carry you through the first couple of miles and then it starts. The duel between the body that wants to stop and the mind that keeps pushing it forward. The miles went by slowly, the terrain changed, the climbs became steeper and tougher, the clouds parted, and the sun shone, we cramped and felt drained at times, but we soldiered on, the body finding the rhythm it was seeking, one foot in front of the other, one deep breath after another.
More than a couple of hours and 12 miles later, we faced what was to be the final obstacle, a steep double peaked incline, testing mettle and strength. With ragged breaths and dogged determination, we climbed until we could see the final stretch and the finish line tantalizingly far away. The emotion I felt (which we all probably shared) was a mix of pride, happiness, and relief as the mind willed the body, pushing it forward until we breached the finish line.
Once the initial wave of elation, exhaustion, and pain had passed and the selfies were taken, the realization hit. We had done it, something that seemed but a distant possibility had been achieved, the distance had been run. And as someone once said, it is not the distance you must conquer in running .. it is yourself. And we, each in our own way, had done it.
Go Tuskers!!
A special thank you to Austin Pereira for all the encouragement and co-ordination. We would not have done this if not for you. A special thank you to Thomas Oommen as well for the advice, motivation, and inspiration you provided for a lot of us first time runners.
Health tips for runners – Dr Rajesh Rajan
(Rajesh Rajan is a Nephrologist who also manages Infuse One (an infusion/Botox center). He is from Pandalam, Kerala. He grew up in New York and moved to Columbus in 2022. He lives in Liberty Township with his wife Mauja, kids Devika and Dhinan, and puppy Meeka.)
As many of you are going to embark on running for leisure or for marathons, I strongly recommend that you get an annual physical and run the blood work that comes with it. Most insurance covers this as part of wellness check at no cost (but please check with your insurance first).
Usually basic blood work is done looking at electrolytes such as potassium, magnesium, calcium – all which can lead to muscle cramps if deficient. Hemoglobin and iron levels can be checked if you have any symptoms of fatigue. Plus many other pointers on your health. So, I highly recommend each one of you to go for a wellness check.
In addition, stretching is key to prevent injuries and so is proper hydration.
For the newcomers, it is essential to build up on your run – starting at a low pace (target a zone 2 heart rate or running/ jogging at a pace where you are able to have a conversation).
Lastly, if you are experiencing any pain, do not ignore it as it may be related to footwear, muscle imbalances, or ineffective stretching. Our goal is to have fun but not get injured.
Happy running!!!
Graduation News
Abhinav Muthiraparambath
Abhinav is set to graduate with an honors diploma at Olentangy Liberty High School as the Valedictorian of the class of 2024. With aspirations to pursue a career in medicine, he’s carefully considering his options, including a pre-med program at Johns Hopkins University majoring in public health studies and a seven-year BS/MD track at the University of South Florida. Abhinav’s accolades include academic achievements such as being recognized as a National Merit commended scholar, recipient of the Governor’s Merit Scholarship, and membership in both the National Honors Society and Spanish Honor Society. Additionally, he actively engages in research at The Ohio State University and shares his passion for science by teaching children through Be WISE. Beyond academics, he’s displayed dedication and skill as a three-year lettered wrestler for Olentangy Liberty High School. Abhinav is the son of Ashish and Sangeetha Muthiraparambath.
Aedin Pereira
Aedin Pereira, son of Austin and Deepa Pereira, graduated from Olentangy Liberty High School with Summa Cum Laude, Honors Diploma, and AP Scholar with Distinction. He attended the prestigious Ross Mathematics Camp and Honors Summer Math Camp, where he researched and published a paper on AI in Bioinformatics. Aedin founded and led the first and only statewide virtual Math Circle during COVID. He is a 4-year varsity rower who competed in the 2021 US Youth National Rowing Championship Finals. Aedin served as Captain of the Liberty High School Speech & Debate team, qualifying for US Debate Nationals. He also served as President of the Student Council and the Service Club, and is a member of the National Honor Society. Aedin plans to attend Columbia University in the fall.
Arya Janardhanan
Arya graduated Summa Cum Laude from Dublin Jerome High School. She will be attending Otterbein University majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. She is a recipient of the President’s Scholarship and will be participating in the Pre-Med Early Assurance Program. She was COMA’s Youth Wing President last year. She is also the founder and President of her school’s Neuroscience club. She has been volunteering at Marysville Memorial Hospital for the past 2 years. Arya is the daughter of Anuja and Ajayan Janardhanan (former COMA president).
Awards
- National Merit Scholar
- Valedictorian
- International HOSA qualifier
- President’s Education award
- Diploma with Honors
- President’s Volunteer Service award
Adithya Arun
Adithya Arun is graduating on May 19th from Olentangy Orange High School. He will be attending The Ohio State University and plans to major in Computer Information Systems. He’s the son of Ramya Kalyadan (Priya) and Arun Radhakrishnan.