Windward Communications
On October 29, the Windward Community came together in celebration as students in the South Asian Affinity Group hosted a special lunchtime event in honor of Diwali. The Hindu festival of lights, Diwali takes place over five days (beginning this year on October 31) and symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. As part of the celebration, student’s created patterns called rangoli on the Bridge using colored powders or chalk, decorated clay diya lamps, and enjoyed snacks and music. The event was entirely student-driven, each activity and display created with support from parent and faculty volunteers.
"I have celebrated Diwali every year since I was little with my cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and friends," shared Bella Kapoor '26. "I love hearing my Nani (grandma) tell the story of Diwali, eating Indian sweets and snacks, sitting down for dinner, lighting diyas (oil lamps) and dressing up. I am so happy we get to share a part of our Diwali experience with Windward."
"It was truly one of the best experiences I've had at Windward, as I witnessed my dreams come to life," said Zaynah Ismail '26. "In December 2023, I attended the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) with my peers. There, we were divided into affinity groups, and Bella and I participated in the South Asian group. It was an incredible experience where I didn’t have to explain parts of my identity; there was a mutual understanding of our cultural experiences. When Bella and I returned to Windward, we knew we wanted to establish a South Asian Affinity Group to recreate that supportive atmosphere. Seeing our community celebrate Diwali and the launch of our group was truly a dream come true. I am immensely grateful to be part of a community that values diversity and empowers students to take the lead. Thank you to everyone at Windward for supporting our first event. We look forward to hosting more events with the South Asian Affinity Group!"
