August 30, 2018 marked the 54th anniversary of the founding of SMAN 1 Demak. The festivities were full of energy, food, music, and color. At 6 am, ETA Sarah Wozniak, students, and teachers gathered at the school gates for a walk around the neighborhood. Sunglasses rapidly became necessary both for the weather and for the teachers’ bright orange shirts.

Bapak Suntono, SMAN 1 Demak’s headmaster, presided over the morning’s speeches and prayers; then, the music began. Students and teachers listened (and danced) to live bands and a DJ well into the afternoon. The day of festivities ended with a lively color party. In the courtyard, no one–students, teachers, or staff–was immune to handfuls of colorful powder tossed onto shirts or sprinkled into hair. At the end of the day, SMAN 1 Demak celebrated not only education’s ability to challenge minds to push their limits, but also its ability to form rich friendships between students and teachers alike. Everyone was covered in color, and everyone needed a shower.

Sarah Wozniak is currently teaching at SMAN 1 Demak, Central Java

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