The Excitement of August 17th in Sukma

On August 17, 2025, SMA Sukma Bangsa Lhokseumawe took part in the Indonesian Independence Day carnival. The students proudly showcased their creativity by presenting costumes made from recycled materials and waste, transforming them into beautiful and artistic outfits. By using these materials, the students not only expressed their creativity but also promoted the importance of recycling and environmental awareness. For an entire month, we worked together to design and create these magnificent costumes. In addition to the creative costumes, traditional clothing from various regions across Indonesia was also displayed, as well as costumes representing different professions in the country. On August 21, 2025, the celebration continued with a series of competitions, such as tug-of-war, flour relay, mini outbound, futsal with dasters, and more. Both students and teachers actively participated, making the event even livelier and more meaningful.

Throughout these Independence Day events, I personally gained many valuable lessons. Working together on the recycled-material costumes taught me about teamwork, patience, communication, and problem-solving. There were times when conflicts arose—ideas clashed, communication broke down, and misunderstandings occurred. At first, it felt frustrating, but those challenges eventually became opportunities for growth. I learned to listen more, to be open to different perspectives, and to remain patient when things did not go my way. I realized that true teamwork requires compromise, humility, and empathy. During the competitions, the importance of teamwork was even more visible. A team could only succeed if every member contributed, trusted one another, and communicated effectively. Winning some of the games made us proud, but even in losing, we discovered lessons about sportsmanship, resilience, and sincerity. It became clear that the purpose of the celebration was not simply about victory or defeat, but about learning and growing together as a community.

This annual Independence Day event was more than just a celebration—it was a meaningful journey that combined joy, struggle, and valuable experiences. Spending time with friends and teachers, sharing laughter, overcoming difficulties, and creating unforgettable memories made it a truly special occasion. Despite the exhaustion from preparing costumes and participating in competitions, none of us felt regret. Instead, we felt a deep sense of pride and happiness because we had contributed to something greater than ourselves. The event reminded us of the importance of unity, or gotong royong, which has always been at the heart of Indonesia’s identity.

Beyond the fun and excitement, the Independence Day celebration offered important benefits that will remain useful throughout our lives. We learned discipline from following schedules and completing our tasks on time. We practiced leadership by taking responsibility and guiding our peers during the costume-making process. We developed creativity by turning waste into art and finding solutions to problems along the way. We strengthened our sense of responsibility by ensuring every task was completed properly, no matter how small. We also nurtured respect—respect for differences in ideas, respect for the efforts of others, and respect for our culture and traditions. The event taught us how to manage challenges, to accept defeat gracefully, and to celebrate victories with humility. Most importantly, it reminded us that independence is not just about freedom, but about responsibility, unity, and contribution to society.

Overall, this year’s Independence Day celebration was more than just fun—it was a meaningful journey full of lessons. We learned discipline and responsibility through completing tasks on time, practiced creativity by turning waste into art, and nurtured respect for culture, friends, and teachers. Above all, the event reminded us that independence is about unity and gotong royong. Despite the hard work, we felt proud and grateful for the unforgettable memories and lifelong lessons it brought.

Penulis: Febrina Kayla Syavira, Students of XI Kovasselva