Westford Academy Human Rights club (HRC) hosted their fourth annual Chaat Masala event on April 10, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The fundraiser brought together students and community members in the school cafeteria for an evening dedicated to cultural celebration.
Tickets for the evening were priced at $20 for students and $25 for the general public. All proceeds were donated to Saheli, a non-profit organization that aims to provide support services to South Asian women and families who are victims of domestic and sexual violence.
The event featured catering with a variety of Indian dishes and entertainment for guests, which included a performance by the Bollywood Dance Club that was followed by an open floor session. In addition, the event had a henna station in which student artists applied designs to attendees.
“I had a lot of fun at Chaat Masala and there were a lot of people there,” junior attendee Nina Chawla said. “As a person who performed, it was really fun to choreograph with all my group, and it was really nice eating food and hanging out with friends while I was there.”
HRC collaborated with school administration to organize the logistics of the four-hour event. By utilizing the cafeteria as a performance and dining space, the organizers were able to accommodate a large turnout of local families and WA staff.
The annual occurrence of Chaat Masala has established itself in the school’s spring calendar. According to HRC social media manager Saachi More, the event serves two primary functions including promoting awareness and raising funds for Saheli, as well as embracing Indian culture.
Human Rights club returned to hosting Chaat Masala after the Bollywood Dance Club organized it the year prior, in 2025.
“[HRC] did not run the event last year due to lack of funding,” More said. “A group of passionate girls, the Bollywood Dance Club, decided to run it themselves.”
By transforming the cafeteria into a venue for music and cuisine, students were able to share their heritage with peers and faculty.
“This year there was more of an emphasis on the performances and raising money for Saheli,” More said. “Overall, the event was really fun and I’m excited for Chaat next year.”
