Cambridge Savings Bank recently completed its first ever CSBsmart course at Shawsheen Valley Technical High School in Billerica, engaging the entire senior class, according to a press release.

Superintendent Charlie Lyons required the CSBsmart program of all 323 seniors at the school.

“The practical skills shared will enable our students to be fully prepared for future success," said Lyons.

Evan Diamond, CSB Financial Education program manager, noted that financial education is particularly important for Shawsheen seniors who have already entered the work force.

"These hard-working students now possess the money-management skills to budget and save their money, successfully use a checking account, prevent unmanageable debt, build a favorable credit history, and avoid becoming victims of fraud," said Diamond.

Superintendent Lyons said 54% of his seniors are currently employed in co-op positions as part of their education. Shawsheen students come from numerous communities, including Billerica, Tewksbury, Bedford, Burlington, and Wilmington.

Based on pre- and post-session survey results, the seniors on average gained understanding of more than five new key financial concepts each.

By Rajashree Ghosh, Guest Columnist

As many of my friends and colleagues are celebrating Passover and Easter, I am winding up my celebration of Holi. Depending on the Hindu calendar, this occurs around February of March each year and just the thought of it makes me think of bursts of “gulal” or perfumed colors, food and community.

Several stories accompany this festival and you are free to choose whichever feels comfortable. As far as I am concerned, the more stories there are, the greater the relevance to common life and living. Spring season with the ending of the winter crop in itself calls for celebration in some parts of India and in other parts the harvest comes a month later.

Nevertheless Holi does count as one of those festivals that celebrate the transition of one season to another.

Legend has it that a demon who was granted several wishes including life, created havoc in the human world. He was deemed invincible – he could not be killed by man or animal, at home or outside, neither during the day or at night. He spared no one including his son who was a believer and worshipped the Gods the demon vowed to eliminate. He tried to kill his son several ways – trample him under an elephant, drown him in the ocean but he survived. The demon’s sister Holika who was given the boon that she would not be harmed by fire decided to take the child on her lap and sit on fire. However because the son prayed, he was saved from the fire while Holika perished. And the demon, to complete the story was killed by “Narasimha” an incarnate of the god who was half man, half lion, at dusk on the threshold of the house. So every household today burns scrap paper, wood or waste material a day before Holi - derived from Holika ridding themselves of all evil and purifying the air. The next day – the day of Holi is about exuberant colors, folk music and enhanced interactions in the community celebrating the triumph of good over evil.

Another story is about Krishna who was tired of being asked about his dark complexion when compared to his friends which included Radha. To change things Krishna devised the prank of throwing colors with the intention of changing complexion of his friends, girls included. Folk hymns and songs are composed and sung about Krishana romancing Radha who after initially resisting his advances gives in to his charms. This sounds as harmless and romantic as it can get. Another interpretation is that this story often becomes the sounding off point for what is known as “eve teasing” especially during Holi. Culturally Holi “allows” for what many anthropologists call “anti-structure” that implies role reversals, and the normal is turned on its head. All distinctions of caste, class, creed and gender are thrown to the wayside. Further, approaching another person hitherto unfamiliar and applying color on them is completely permissible during Holi. In an egalitarian world this would have been fine and for the most part it can be. Many incidents have been recorded before and during Holi where women are prone to attacks including groping and smearing colors without their consent. This can be because of ingesting the traditonal “bhang” an intoxicating drink made from cannabis but not necessarily so because offensive behavior is not regulated this day.

Perpetrators get away saying “this is Holi, please don’t take it otherwise.” The fine line between flirtation and sexual abuse diminishes as for many men it provides an easy access to women’s bodies. This behavior takes away from the essence of celebration. In the end many women recede into their homes where they are safer and not partake of the festivities or put up with all the transgressions that tantamount to abuse, which the men can “get away with.”

In the whole scheme of things the divide between women and men celebrating the festival inevitably grows. Nowhere in the texts – religious or otherwise is there mention of limited participation of women during a festival - which is what it has come to in urban India.

Subsequent to the heinous rape and death of a woman in Delhi, a recent survey conducted reveals that 9 out of 10 women feel unsafe in Delhi. The continuing instances of sexual assault on women reflects ingrained patriarchy which is further perpetuated through convenient interpretations of religious texts thus leaving the door wide open for serious lapses. My hope and wish is that the essence of Holi with its vibrant approach envelops everyone irrespective of who or what they are and transition to a more equal and just society.

Rajashree Ghosh is a resident scholar at the Women's Studies Research Center at Brandeis University in Waltham.

On March 10, Julie Cohen, 54, of Bedford, was recognized as the Volunteer of the Year at the Extra Mile Brunch, an event that celebrates Pacesetters, participants whom last year raised more than $1,250 for the The Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk, a one-day charity walk that raises funds for all cancers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, according to a press release.

For three years, Cohen has been a dedicated walker, volunteer, and fundraiser for the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai. She is the second person to receive the Volunteer of the Year award, which will be presented annually to outstanding volunteers.

This year, the Extra Mile Brunch comes at a poignant time of year for Cohen. Her mother would have turned 88 on March 11, and she lost both parents to cancer during this month. Her mother passed away from leukemia in March 2000 and just one year later she lost her father to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Cohen first walked the five-mile route with her husband and two children in 2009 as part of "The Cohen Team." While health issues kept her sidelined from the course the next years, Cohen remained involved in 2011 and 2012 as a volunteer and virtual walker.

Last year, Cohen raised $1,270 for Dana-Farber by writing letters and inviting family and friends to make financial contributions to her fundraising campaign, which placed her at Pacesetter status and brought her three-year fundraising total to $2,335.

In 2010, she participated in a research study led by the Lymphoma Program at Dana-Farber that evaluates the genetic factors that lead to lymphoma. The study’s results, which will come at a later date, could benefit her children because they will be more educated on who in their families might be a victim of the disease, possibly by the presence of an altered gene.

“Despite all the sore muscles and blistered feet, the excitement and enthusiasm present amongst the walkers and volunteers at the Finish Line tell it all,” says Cohen. “We all participate for a cure, for research, for all that Dana-Farber does!”

Cohen plans to volunteer at the Walk on Sept. 8.

Since 1989, the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk has raised nearly $87 million for Dana-Farber.

To register for the 25th anniversary of the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk, or to support a walker, visit www.JimmyFundWalk.org or call (866) 531-9255.

Sign-up is easy and walkers can enter the discount code NEWS for $5 off the registration fee.