Walking into room 102, the smell of spices filled the room. Students and teachers could not even recognize the classroom that was once there. Upon entering, diverse colorful red and purple fairy lights hang from the ceilings, and tables are covered with festive purple cloths. Everyone is raising their voice to talk over the music. The lively Diwali celebration has just begun. 

Diwali is a festival of lights that has been around for over 2000 years. It is a religious Hindu holiday but is also celebrated by Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, and others. It symbolizes light over darkness and good over evil. 

To prepare for the event, a few students volunteered to go attend earlier and help set up. The students had many different jobs to achieve as much needed to be done. They had to bring decorations and utensils, make flyers, and create posters. 

Many decorations were donated by other teachers. Spanish teacher, Ms. Greenberg supplied decorations she had from Day of the Dead. Science teacher, Mr. Deo passed on decorations he had from the previous years celebrating Diwali that he bought himself. Science teacher, Mrs. Rehak provided decorations she had and tealight candles from prior Cavo Cancer Crusher events.  

Junior and co-president of Unity Club, Isabella Lupano, took on an important role in the club and talked about preparing for Diwali. Isabella said, “I knew I had to play my part in helping this ceremony be the best it could be.”

The hour before the celebration began, the students spent their time making the room look the best it could. They turned on all the tealight candles and fairy lights and put them around the room to represent how Diwali is a festival of lights. The students folded pamphlets filled with information about Diwali to hand out to everyone who would later attend. Posters were made and colored to be hung around the room and Diwali tablecloths were spread across tables for food to go on top of. 

Unity Club worked with Mr. Deo and Mrs. Rehak to get food for everyone to enjoy. Before the celebration, they ordered the food from Bombay Hut located in Waldwick. They had a variety of options including different types of Naan, Tofu Tikka Masala, Paneer Korma, Falafel, and Basmati Rice. Mango Lassi, a smoothie was also served. 

After the students and teachers brought the food into the classroom and set it up on top of the laid-out tablecloths, it was time to begin. Members of the Unity Club worked hard to set up the annual Diwali celebration held at Emerson Junior Senior High School for all the students and teachers to enjoy.