King School hosted a tent at the India Cultural Center's (ICC) HoliFest 2023. More than ten King families attended Holi, a Hindu festival welcoming spring and celebrating the triumph of good over evil. Gorgeous pastels saturated Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in Greenwich on Saturday, May 6, as crowds turned out to commemorate the holiday by throwing colored powders into the air.
“This was the first time in all of the years I’ve been at King that Holi was celebrated as a part of the King community,” said Priya Dohil ’27. “It was so nice to see the other King families there. My favorite part was throwing colors with my friend Anika (Rizvi ’27.) Overall, it was a fun yet messy way to celebrate Holi.”
King has been partnering with ICC for the last three years. Though this is the first time King had a tent at the event, the school provided volunteers to support the festival in the past. King also supports ICC’s annual Diwali Festival and has hosted speakers and authors on the school’s campus. King’s participation in Holi kicks off the school’s celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
“It is important for the school to participate in events like Holi to promote diversity and cultural understanding among students,” said ICC board member Saira Rizvi P’27. “By experiencing and celebrating different cultures, we can all develop a greater appreciation for the world's diverse traditions and customs. It can also help foster a sense of community within the school and create a fun and engaging learning environment.”
King parents Monika and Craig Tello brought their daughters Ruby ’32 and younger sister Ivy and Ruby’s classmate Mia Murphy ’32, joining more than 1,100 people celebrating the holiday.
“This was our first time enjoying Holifest, and we certainly learned that the holiday is rooted in pure, spirited fun,” said Craig Tello. “Our color-covered family left the event with a sense of how inclusive both community and culture can be. You would also be surprised how many days of showers it takes to fully clear the lingering gift of rainbow-hued skin that comes with Holifest.”
Founded in 2012, ICC is a non-profit organization that celebrates the arts and culture of India. Its mission is to foster inclusion by educating and engaging the community in Indian culture through programs targeted toward both the Indian American diaspora and the community at large. The festival included many staples of Indian culture, including music and cuisine and henna tattoo stations.
“Participating in events like Holifest not only allows families to be their authentic selves but also allows families to learn from one another and share experiences,” said Staff Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Coordinator Lakeya Graves, who attended the event. “That's what inclusion and belonging are all about.”