Manado Independent School (MIS) celebrated the 79th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia’s Independence Day with vibrant enthusiasm and energy. The festivities featured an exciting Intramurals Day program, held from Friday, August 16, 2024, to Monday, August 19, 2024.
The intramurals kicked off on August 16, 2024, with a burst of excitement as students dove into a dynamic array of competitions, including thrilling tug-of-war contests, energetic cheerleading routines, and intense sports matches. Beyond the festive atmosphere, these activities aimed to foster unity and nationalism through traditional games while promoting sportsmanship among students. Rifka Sihombing, a 9th grader at MIS and the Student Association (SA) president, expressed her enthusiasm for the intramurals, highlighting the tug-of-war as one of the standout events that generated significant excitement. “Intramurals offer students a refreshing pause before school activities begin, allowing them to connect with friends and enhance their teamwork skills within the community,” she explained.
On the second day of the intramurals, the festivities commenced with a spectacular flag ceremony at the MIS Soccer Field at 7:30 AM WITA. The event began with the proud hoisting of the red and white flag by the school’s flag-bearing team. Mr. AKBP (P) Novani Jansen, S.Sos., M.M., the General Affairs Coordinator and Ceremony Leader, delivered an inspiring speech from Indonesia’s Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Nadiem Anwar Makarim. His speech underscored the crucial role of youth in advancing the ideals of independence and actively contributing to national development. Following the ceremony, the celebration continued with a dazzling performance of a national song, enhanced by the melodic strains of kolintang music performed by MIS’s junior and senior high school students. The energy soared as traditional dances from across the Indonesian archipelago graced the stage, including a mesmerizing Papua dance performed by MIS students. The day was brimming with excitement as intramural activities unfolded with exhilarating and high-energy events. The intramurals concluded with a grand awards ceremony, celebrating the winning teams and extending heartfelt thanks to all who played a pivotal role in making the event a success.
