Concord‑Carlisle students present first South Asian Student Society Diwali celebration to school committee
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Summary
Students from the South Asian Student Society told the joint Concord‑Carlisle school committee about a Nov. 9 Diwali/‘Volley’ celebration they organized — highlighting multilingual outreach, intergenerational participation, performances and a potluck — and asked the committee to support continuity and student leadership as founders graduate.
Students and advisers from the South Asian Student Society (SAS) described to the Concord‑Carlisle school committee on Dec. 17 how the club launched two years ago to increase cultural representation and hosted the district’s first Diwali/“Volley” celebration on Nov. 9.
Leah Pavlov and Celeste Pinto, identified in the presentation as SAS co‑founders, said the event prioritized intergenerational and multilingual outreach, invited community performers and speakers, and included arts activities and a potluck. "We really just wanted to emphasize the importance of celebrating and honoring heritage, together to ensure that the CCHS community is one where students of diverse backgrounds can feel belonging, inclusion, and welcome," Pavlov said during the presentation.
The students said they used multiple channels — WhatsApp groups, emails to teachers, posters in schools and a Google Form for sign‑ups — to recruit performers and volunteers; organizers reported roughly 20 food sign‑ups for the potluck and volunteers arriving early to set up decorations. They also named community partners who contributed, including parent volunteers, the town DEI commission and visiting musicians from the New England Conservatory of Music who performed on traditional drums.
Committee members and attendees praised the student planning and asked how the group would ensure continuity after current leaders graduate. The students said they already have potential successors identified and have been including middle‑school and Carlisle students in outreach so younger peers will step into leadership roles.
The presentation concluded with committee thanks to the students and their adviser and with a request that the district continue to welcome affinity groups and provide administrative support where needed. No formal action was taken; the recognition was part of the meeting’s opening segment.