As families prepare to celebrate Diwali, students also must find a way to juggle school work. While WA allows excused absences for religious holidays, many students choose to skip Diwali festivities in hopes of not falling behind in their classes. The WA Ghostwriter asked students who celebrate Diwali...

“Look at me, ching-chong!” my elementary classmates used to say to me while pulling back the corner of their eyes in an attempt to mock me. My frustration and anger never met my peers as I buried it within me. I went home and cried that day ashamed of my appearance — ashamed of who I was. At...