Gallery • 8 Photos

Areeba Haq

During November, one of the most significant festivals takes place, called Diwali, also known as the Festival of Diyas. It is a celebration that unites people from all over the world from different backgrounds and communities to celebrate light and happiness. On this day, the aroma of delicious sweets and the sight of various colors on the doorsteps and houses all take over your senses and make you excited for the upcoming day. Sophomore Divyya Sathiaseelan, a member of the Indian Student Association (ISA) at PPCHS, exclaims, “I would describe the day of Diwali as a happy and peaceful day, and also very exciting as it is a day of celebration, prosperity, and amazing food!” 

To celebrate Diwali in school and make it fun, yet interactive for students while also bringing awareness, Charter’s own ISA club has hosted an annual Diwali event where all students can come participate and learn more about this day. During this Diwali event, students are given colorful art supplies and diyas (small lamps made of clay), which they can decorate however they want. Senior Sharmitha Suram, Vice President of ISA, states, “I think the event went great, and it was nice to be able to spread awareness about my culture and to be able to see other students incorporate themselves into the diyas they painted!” 

By having students design their own diyas unique to them, it will be like a special memory that they can correlate to Diwali and remember what activities they participated in whenever this holiday comes around. “I feel very proud that people came and embraced our culture and came together no matter the differences,” added Divyya Sathiaseelan. 

Being in a school filled with so many different backgrounds and ethnicities, it is an important goal for students and staff to come together and support one another’s cultures and holidays. Mr. Bayer, the principal at PPCHS, also got the chance to attend the Diwali event and paint his own diya. Mr. Bayer expresses, “I’m glad they rescheduled the Diwali event because it’s a big holiday and it’s something I always like to see our kids participating in. I thought this event was really nice and would like to see more of it even though I’m not very good at painting but I was so impressed at how good some of the other kids were at painting.”  He really enjoyed the event and celebrating this holiday with ISA and all the other students. Mr. Bayer has a strong belief and support system for all the different clubs’ cultures and the holidays they celebrate. A main goal of his is to help other students become aware of all the cultures surrounding them. He also said, “ Since our school is so diverse I think it strengthens us and our appeal to learn more from each other’s experiences and traditions. And just like the food and the holidays and some of the rounded customs that make us a better-rounded school for everybody.” Our school coming together and celebrating each other’s holidays makes us closer and more supportive peers.

Across the world, many people spend their Diwali differently with their unique traditions in their family and community. Some ways people celebrate on this day are by lighting diyas, decorating their homes colorfully, exchanging gifts with family and friends, praying, and feasting on delicious meals and a variety of sweets. Here at Charter, peers unite in conversation to discuss the very exciting traditions that are held in their own proper houses. “My family and I decorate the outside of my house with lights and diyas, and then we all get dressed and light up firecrackers, which is my favorite part,” said Sharmitha Suram. However, some students have their own twist on the special day. “My favorite way of spending Diwali is by waking up early and taking a nice shower to start the day. We then pray and eat lots of food on a banana leaf. We also go to the Temple and pray there as well! After that, we watch a lot of Indian movies,” expressed Divya.

As November comes to a close and the vibrant lights of Diwali start to disappear, it is the joy and togetherness that was felt throughout this holiday that will remain in everyone’s memories. From spending Diwali with our family and friends to in our school as well with all our peers, this day holds a special place in all our hearts.