Central Bucks Student Who Organized Diwali Celebration Honored By Senator

DOYLESTOWN, PA — A Central Bucks West high school student both petitioned her school board to recognize Diwali as a school holiday and organized Doylestown's first ever community Diwali celebration this year.

Diwali Day, celebrating the five-day festival of lights, was put on by Central Bucks West's Youth4Unity in collaboration with Desis of Doylestown.

"Today, I was honored to recognize a truly inspiring young woman, Paree Pasi, who courageously challenged the Central Bucks School Board to make Diwali a recognized holiday," State Senator Steve Santarsiero wrote after attending the celebration in Burpee Park on Sunday. "The power of her example resulted in the Board agreeing to do just that. Paree’s actions epitomized the message of Diwali, while at the same time giving all of us an example of how one person can make a difference."

In February of 2021, Pasi launched a petition for students to have a day off from school for Diwali.

"This past February I started the initiative to convince the Central Bucks School Board to recognize Diwali, the most auspicious day for Indians around the world, as an official school holiday," she wrote. "I wanted to bring a true change in my community, and make the CB school calendar representative of the changing demographic the United States is currently undergoing."

Pasi's cousin accomplished a similar feat in the Council Rock school district, according to WFMZ; and a New Hope-Solebury student also successfully petitioned her district for the holiday. More than a year ago, the Pennsbury school board voted to recognize Diwali as a school holiday, too.

Pasi posted a fundraiser for the Doylestown celebration in mid-October, which exceeded its $2,000 goal by $314. She said the leftover funds will be donated to South Asian human rights work.

"Feel free to bring friends and family, dress in traditional Indian clothes, and prepare your mouths for spicy and flavorful food, as we come together during this joyous time and truly feel the warmth of the Indian community," she wrote in the event description. "Come join us, not just for fun, but to support and stand with your Desi neighbors, colleagues, and friends."