When I first saw my brother, Aariv, playing a game on his iPad, I didn't know those little pieces would teach me so much about life. My dad helped me start chess classes, and my amazing coach and my brother showed me how the game works. But after my first big CalChess tournament in March, I realized that chess isn't just a game of winning or losing, it is a game about how much potential we have inside. Even though I didn't win an individual trophy, I was so happy to help my school and my club win team trophies! I learned that every game is an opportunity to grow. I hope my story shows you that no matter how small you feel, you can always keep moving forward. Just like a pawn can become a queen, there is a hidden potential in all of us!

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This story is about how I started my cubing journey when I was only five years old. It all began with a simple 2x2 toy, but I quickly realized that solving those colorful squares was a much bigger challenge than I ever expected. It wasn't always easy. I had to memorize a ton of algorithms and spend hours practicing. With some awesome support from my family and a lot of patience, I learned that you can solve any problem if you just take it one turn at a time. Come check out my journey to see how I went from being a confused beginner to a speedcuber who can solve different cubes in just a few seconds!

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The story of the little kite is about more than just paper and string. It is a story about the voice inside all of us that says, "I can't do it." At first, the little kite is terrified of falling, watching the big kites soar high above his head. But with a little encouragement, he decides to try anyway. To me, this story shows that true courage isn't being fearless. It’s being scared and doing it anyway.

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Have you ever seen something at the park or at school where people felt left out? When my sister and I found our basketball court taken over by a big camp, I saw other kids standing around too shy to speak up. Even though I had to take a deep breath to find my courage, I realized that if I didn't say something, nobody would. That day I learned how a simple, respectful suggestion can help everyone get alonga and that being a leader isn't about being the loudest person in the park. It is just about having the courage to offer a solution that helps everyone. I hope this story helps you the next time you feel stuck on the sidelines!

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We prepared activity goody bags for brave kids in the hospital to make them happy. We picked out our favorite games, activities and made special postcards with hearts, stars and smiles. I want everyone to know that even if you are little, you can be kind to help others feel better!

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We wanted to donate the funds we generated from our summer lemonade stand, 'Lemon ’n’ Bites,' and our 'Cards for a Cause' project to an organization that truly helps people. After doing our research, my sister Aarvika and I chose ThereWithCare because they support families going through a medical crisis. At TheCaringHearts, our mission is to spread joy, and we believe that helping ThereWithCare with goodie bags and handwritten letters is the perfect way to do that. We are excited to share our hard work with such a compassionate group and help make the world a better place, one heart at a time!

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This is the story of how my big brother Aariv and I started "Cards for a Cause." Since it was too cold for our lemonade stand this winter, we decided to make handmade holiday cards to help people instead. We spent a long time using glitter pens, pearl dots, and butterfly shapes to make every card special. Even though it was chilly outside, we walked all around our neighborhood to share our cards with our neighbors. We sold every single one! We worked together as a team to turn glue and glitter into a way to help families in need. I am so happy that we are making this our new holiday tradition.

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After competing in my first National Championship and placing 3rd in California and 26th in the country for the 4th Grade u800 category, I realized the real secret to the game is humility. I learned to have the courage to play bold, aggressive moves while still respecting my opponents as my equals. I also discovered how to be resilient by learning from my mistakes after a loss, and I even used my savings to join a charity chess event to make a difference for someone else. 

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My trip to the grocery store was supposed to be a normal day, but it turned into more than a grocery trip. I saw a family sitting on a bench who looked very tired and hungry. This story is about why I decided to share my snacks with them and what I saw when I did. I learned that some families have a really hard time, and I saw how much a mother loves her children by the way she put them first. I wrote this because I want everyone to know that noticing people in need is the first step to being truly kind. Now, I have a new promise to always look for ways to help. 

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This past summer, my younger sister Aarvika and I didn't just play video games, we decided to become real entrepreneurs! We started our own lemonade stand business, "Lemon 'n' Bites", with a big mission. We learned that running a business takes serious planning, math, and lots of hard work! But the best part? After two hot days, we earned a good amount of money that we plan to use to help people who need it the most in our community. Come read about how two kids learned that even a small stand can make a big difference!

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