It was SMAGA’s 26th Anniversary Celebration! The one week a year that all students and teachers look forward to commemorating SMAN 3 Banjarbaru (also called SMAGA). The spirits were high as there were 30 student performances ranging from flash mobs using Disney princess songs to historical roleplay using Indonesian dances. The students collaboratively choreographed their performances in their classes and presented them in front of the school.

The Anniversary week also included Jalan Santai, a leisurely stroll in which every homeroom class dressed up in a theme and walked 2.5 kilometers outside the school grounds. To end the festivities, students and teachers cheerfully sang classic songs, like Kangen by Dewa 19, and danced together in a big crowd in the courtyard! The school supported the students in multiple events in January as well.

ETA Tineer Ahmed organized SMAGA’s first WORDS Storytelling Competition with 15 student participants, three guest judges, and over 1,000 spectators. Weeks leading up to the competition, Tineer helped prepare the students to make an original storybook centered around the theme of “Dreams” and give a creative performance to the audience. After granting Rafiqi the first-place winner with his story “Unity in Diversity,” Tineer, Ibu Ari, and Ibu Mahrita coached him in perfecting his performance for the national WORDS storytelling competition in Jakarta. The year 2024 is off to a good start!

Tineer Ahmed is currently teaching at SMAN 3 Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan.