As the students trickled into SMAN 1 Manggar’s assembly hall, they clumped together in groups of five to twenty, each surrounding a pile of fried snacks, cakes, and sweet drinks in shades of pink, orange, and blue. At the front of the room, teachers laid out their feast. It was the day before the school holiday for Ramadan began, and the tenth-grade classes at SMAN 1 Manggar were celebrating Iftar together.

ETA Mary Breen helped distribute iced tea cartons and arrange cakes on a plate while people quietly chatted or scrolled on their phones. A tap on the microphone signaled that it was time for speeches and prayers from the principal and several teachers. When it was her turn, Mary gave each class a letter sharing memories from the year and explained her going-away present—a penny for everyone.

After the speeches, students ensured their cups had straws and sat quietly again. What were they waiting for? Exactly when was sunset? A horn sounded after a few more minutes, and everyone promptly dug in.

Immediately after eating, most of the participants went to pray. The party kicked up again when they returned as people mingled, took photos, and even organized a running race. Several students ensured Mary could try local pastries and taught her the names of all of them. Her favorite was dadar gulung, a thin, bright green pancake wrapped around shredded coconut and palm sugar. Between the delicious food and the community spirit, it was the best final meeting a class could ask for.

Mary Breen is currently teaching at SMAN 1 Manggar, East Belitung.