The Cal High Origami Club was founded as a collaboration between Riya Dabholkar (third from left) and Pragati Tumma (second from right) in 2024 (Photo courtesy of CHS Origami Club). 
Club members fold and connect at an origami session (Photo courtesy of CHS Origami Club). 
Cal High Origami Club brings creativity beyond the school campus at a community event in the Danville Public Library (Photo courtesy of CHS Origami Club).
In less than a year, the student-led Origami Club at California High School in San Ramon has created and donated over 400 origami pieces.
The club was founded in 2024 as a collaboration between Pragati Tumma and Riya Dabholkar, rising juniors at Cal High.
“We started this club sophomore year because we thought that the art of origami should be shared and we really want to share this passion with other students. We also wanted to create a sense of community within the school,” Dabholkar said.
“Our club’s mission is essentially about combining two things we’re really passionate about, which are art and community service,” Tumma added.
Meeting twice a month, members of the Origami Club earn 0.5 volunteer hours for each session they attend. The club has over 150 members, most of whom are beginners. To support the new learners, club officers lead meetings with live instruction and online videos on how to make origami.
“We create cranes and butterflies all year round, and we also do seasonal crafts, depending on the seasons. We did cherry blossoms for spring and bunnies for Easter. We also did snowflakes during the wintertime,” Dabholkar said.
In addition to regular meetings, the club organizes external events and workshops throughout the year. These are often held in collaboration with other organizations, such as the Origami Club at the crosstown Dougherty Valley High School or the San Ramon Library.
These events typically last two to three hours, providing members with a chance to socialize and receive additional support with their origami designs. Some events are also open to the broader community and offer opportunities for the public to learn the art of origami.
“Out of all the other clubs, I think our club really stands out at California High School because we try to emphasize communication and connection among all of the club members and also the local community,” Dabholkar said.
The club officers highlight origami as a meaningful way to relieve stress and stay connected to personal passions.
“It can be easy for students to get swept up in academics, especially in high school, because it’s very stressful preparing for college and everything. As a result, a lot of people have their hobbies take a backseat,” Tumma said. “I know a lot of people can relate to that. We think it’s important to keep in touch with hobbies, especially because it’s a good way to relax. And at our volunteer events, our students can interact with art and unwind while creating origami.”
Besides hosting occasional community events, the Cal High Origami Club fosters relationships with the broader community by donating its handcrafted pieces of members’ paper art to nonprofit organizations throughout the Tri-Valley.
The club has donated all 400-plus origami pieces crafted this year to organizations like the San Ramon Regional Medical Center, the Danville and San Ramon public libraries, and the Pleasanton Senior Center.
“It’s very important to give back through art, because decorations can make any space brighter. So we hope to continue to do this in the future, with the possibility of collaborating with more organizations in the Bay Area and hosting a large-scale workshop,” Tumma said.
To learn more about the club and stay updated on its community events, follow @chs.origamiclub on Instagram.
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