As the holiday season approaches, the world is decorating with lights, tinsel, wreaths, and ornaments. Cypress High students go home to their Christmas trees and stockings, Diwali diyas and rangoli designs, Hanukkah menoras and dreidels, or other distinct celebrations that reflect their culture. 

    Freshman Nihal Bhasuru celebrates Diwali, a Hindu festival of lights. “Indian holiday events like Diwali celebrate good over evil and light over darkness. I especially like the fireworks after Diwali the most.” Nihal and other Hindus light diyas, which are small candles, during the holidays.

    Senior Danielle Krampach celebrates the Jewish holiday Hanukkah. She describes the holiday festival. “For Hanukkah, every night, we light a candle for each night that the oil burns. We celebrate the day that we escaped from a group that opposed us.” Jews also eat latkes and sufganiyot during Hanukkah, or other fried food, to symbolize the oil that was burned. 

    Sophomore Allen Kwak celebrates Christmas over the winter with his church. “To me, Christmas is more of a religious holiday because it celebrates the birth of Jesus, but it also is a holiday for everyone.” His favorite parts of Christmas are having fellowship with friends at his church and decorating his Christmas tree with his family.   

    There are so many ethnic and cultural differences here at Cypress High School that are reflected by the various holiday traditions that occur over the winter season. The importance of the holiday season isn’t different events and ways of celebration, but it is spending time with family, friends, and just cherishing happy moments when you can.