Beaming, Nikhita Thirukonda and Nandini Somarapu ’25 attack each other with the color powder. Students were able to purchase the powder both online and in person.
Celebrating with her friends, Aanya Ujjval ’26 gets sprayed with color powder. All profits from the Holi festival through selling powder and shirts were donated to Casa Marianella.
Swiftly dogding his friends attack, Om Arora ’24 shields himself. Students came together and celebrated community at Holi.
On his friends back, Shridhar Nagaprabhu ’25 admires the view of the sunset and the colors filling the air. Both a fundraiser and community bonding event, Holi fulfilled two of IB’s core values.
With careful examination, National Art Honor Society (NAHS) volunteer Avery Chen ’26 face applies face paint to a participant. NAHS volunteers hosted a face painting table at no additional cost.
Getting his face painted by Sarah Jung ’26, Remy Simpson ’25 rests patiently waiting to see the finished result. Simpson requested a tiger to recreate a face painting from when he was a child.
Dancing to the music, students toss handfuls of colored powder into the crowd. The Holi festival became a exciting way to start off spring for students.
Sprinkled with color, Miyuu Tani ’24 and friends pour color powder on each other. The event welcomed all Westwood students and community members outside of the school.
Spicewood Elementary was covered with vibrant colors in celebration of Holi, a Hindu festival, on Thursday, March 28. Hosted by the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, students were able to throw colored powder, dance, enjoy South Asian food, and receive face paintings from the National Art Honor Society (NAHS) members.
Traditionally, Holi marks the arrival of spring in various South Asian countries, celebrating the positive and releasing negative energy. Though hosted by IB, other campus organizations contributed to the event.
“I was able to face paint different designs on other students by their request,” NAHS Volunteer Nanxi Chen ‘26 said. “Seeing everyone satisfied with their face painting made me feel proud.”
The Holi fundraiser was organized to support Casa Marianella, a homeless shelter supporting immigrants and refugees in Austin. Donations accumulated from the IB Holi shirt and colored powder students purchased upon entering the event.
“I helped distribute the color [powder],” South Asian Student Association (SASA) volunteer Eva Malik ‘27 said. “It was a good way to bond with friends and celebrate Holi.”
![In their full runway outfits, (from left) Audrey Lee 25, Olivia Lucy Teets, 25, Fashion Design teacher Ms. Judy Chance, and Xueying Lili Yang pose for a photo. All three girls made it to Austin Fashion Week by getting in the top 10 in a previous runway show held by Shop LC.
[I like my students] creativity and how they can look at a fabric and make it their own, Ms. Chance said.](https://westwoodhorizon.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_9686-e1714088765730-1129x1200.jpeg)
