Michelle Zuo | The Chronicle
Most nonprofits begin as fresh initiatives, but for Mason High School (MHS) sophomore Samhita Paranthaman, joining The Artsy Altruists meant continuing a legacy.
Founded in 2018 by her sister and MHS alumna Sanchita Paranthaman, the nonprofit sells handmade jewelry and artwork at local and religious events, with proceeds supporting global charities and school supply drives. Sanchita launched the organization after visiting an orphanage in India, which the nonprofit still supports today. As Samhita stepped into a leadership role, she said she encountered challenges that reshaped her perspective on the organization and its mission.
“It was a pretty big challenge for me,” Samhita said. “It was a big shift from making jewelry for fun [and] to help people, to [asking], ‘[What] should we be focusing on?’ I feel like it’s grown into more of a mature mindset [of], ‘How can we do more?’”
Sophomores Samhita Paranthaman (left) and Saina Krishnan (right) bead Indian jewelry.
Samhita said that the nonprofit allows her to join her sister’s legacy through their shared responsibilities. Though Sanchita continues to contribute from college, she focuses on managing the finances while Samhita and her team run the fundraisers.
“I feel like it brings us together because we all have the same interest in helping others,” Samhita said. “My sister’s connections also help [bring] the team together since a lot of teamwork is necessary.”
MHS sophomores Saina Krishnan and Harinee Arasu both contribute to the nonprofit’s efforts alongside Samhita. Krishnan said that collaborating with her friends was an initial motivator to work.
“We connect over making jewelry together,” Krishnan said. “It definitely brought us closer together in times when we’ve drifted apart. But I [also felt] the need to help since it’s all for a good cause.”
Despite the challenges Samhita has faced, she said that the nonprofit has also given her a sense of community with others outside of her family.
“I definitely consider my friends like family [now],” Samhita said. “I remember we would be working at night before fundraisers, just [making] jewelry [and] getting as much as we can for the sale the next day.
With the Artsy Altruists’ specialization in both modern and traditional Indian jewelry, Arasu said that the combination has allowed her to share both her culture and the joy of her creations.
“It definitely helps me connect with [my culture] more,” Arasu said. “I’m able to spread [my culture] and other people can get to know about it as well. I [also] like selling, especially to children, because of how happy and excited they look.”
The cultural jewelry of the Artsy Altruists originates from various regions throughout India. Samhita said that managing the production of the jewelry with her family allows her to connect to her culture.
“My mom [has] been making Indian jewelry since I was little [and] we get the materials from my grandma in India,” Samhita said. “I find jewelry one of the best parts of [our] culture [since] it’s been passed down from generations by women.”
Aside from the traditional aspect, Arasu said the variety of charities they donate to is what sets them apart from other organizations.
“It’s different every year for us,” Arasu said. “In 2025, we [mainly] raised money for the Mason City Schools Foundation. But last year we did the [Indian] orphanage and raised money for the Chennai floods that happened.”
As the nonprofit continues to grow, Samhita said she has ambitions to build upon the foundation they’ve created to give back to their local and global community.
“The Mason City School Foundation has given us more of a starting place for us to donate,” Samhita said. “For the future, our goal is to [start] getting more help and working with other nonprofits, [as well as] to expand our nonprofit to help more people all around the world.”
