On June 7th, the eagerly awaited Multicultual International Expo (MIX Day) took place, offering a large-scale, humanities-focused event for high school students. This day transformed students and teachers into planners, performers, participants, and witnesses, fully immersing themselves in a vibrant cultural feast. The event celebrated the diversity of SHSID campus culture, drawing strength from collaboration and integration to build dreams for the future.

The day featured a brilliant array of activities: artistic performances, immersive cultural experiences, enlightening lectures, strategic competitions, intense debates, and creative club exhibitions. The atmosphere felt like an endless cultural festival, deeply enriched with humanistic values.

Dynamic Performances

“Soul Exchange” Original Play

The 12th-grade graduates showcased their exceptional talent and impressive acting skills in a heart-stopping original drama performance - "Soul Exchange". This cleverly crafted play tells a story rich in warmth and wisdom, depicting a father-daughter duo who, under the arrangement of fate, swap roles, embarking on a profound and moving journey of self-discovery. The actors brought the characters' inner world to life with their impeccable acting skills, allowing the audience to feel the genuine and precious bond of family affection through laughter and tears.

Traditional Chinese Culture Performances

On a moonlit stage, dancers in light, flowing skirts moved gracefully, their motions resembling celestial beings. They leapt and twirled, each gesture poetic and rhythmic. The Longying Society's performance was a highlight of this vibrant cultural celebration.

The audience was captivated, feeling transported by the enchanting dance steps. It was as if they had transcended time and space, joining mountain spirits playing zithers, singing with ethereal beings, and dancing with goddesses. The performance was like a dream come true, taking them to a mythical, fantastical realm.

Multi-Ted Talk

The Multi-TED Talk event celebrated diversity and unity, highlighting a wide range of perspectives on history, sports, science, languages, and culture. Hosted by James, the event aimed to inspire and enlighten, featuring seven high school students who shared their insights and visions.

The event began with the introduction of the first Humanities Fair at SHSID, emphasizing students' dedication to humanities-related subjects through clubs, competitions, research projects, and writing. Throughout the Multi-TED Talk, the diverse talents and passions of the students were on full display. Each speech fostered a deeper appreciation for the multicultural community, encouraging attendees to understand and embrace differences.

Interactive Culture Carnivals

“Around the World” Carnival

Xianmian Building underwent a stunning transformation, offering an uninterrupted journey across five continents during the highly anticipated Culture Carnival organized by the English Department. Attendees were immersed in the rich tapestry of diverse cultures through interactive sessions, traditional music and dance performances, and workshops that highlighted the vast cultural landscape of our world.

The event was a feast for the senses. Scotland became an intriguing escape room, Africa came alive with a themed haunted house, and Australian short stories were read to the soothing strum of a guitar. Participants also experienced the art of writing Arabic with a traditional calligraphy brush. The creativity and possibilities seemed limitless, making every corner of the world feel within reach.

Experiencing Chinese Culture

Meanwhile, in the ZT Building, another series of vibrant cultural activities were captivating students, offering them a window into the rich heritage of Chinese culture. Participants could test their verbal agility with tongue twisters, experience the art of dubbing by bringing characters to life through voice, and paint elegant qipaos to appreciate traditional clothing's grace and essence. Additionally, they could recite ancient poetry to immerse themselves in the vivid imagery and emotions of historical poets.

Students moved through the places as if traveling through a cultural time tunnel, with each classroom transformed into a unique cultural space brimming with historical and cultural significance. These activities allowed them to explore the diverse and fascinating aspects of Chinese culture, experiencing its depth and grandeur while enriching and inspiring their minds through these cultural experiences.

The school's official Chinese magazine club, Zhengming Club, also held a lively charity bazaar on the same day. The booths featured exquisite issues of "Zhao Yang" magazine and creative cultural products. Additionally, the club organized traditional games like Chinese yo-yo (Diabolo), allowing attendees to experience the joy of traditional Chinese games firsthand.

The school invited Mr. Ding Yebo, a "Yuan Pai" inheritor of Shanghai opera, to introduce its charm to the students. His storytelling and the melodious tones of the opera transcended time and space, showcasing its unique allure. This special lecture provided valuable insights into local culture and allowed students to deeply appreciate the unique charm of Shanghai opera, a non-material cultural heritage.

Multiple Intelligence Exploration

The Psychology Carnival started in the afternoon, guided by Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences theory. Students enthusiastically engaged in activities across eight intelligence domains. In the linguistic area, students displayed their language and logical thinking skills through collage poetry and tongue twister challenges. The intrapersonal area allowed students to explore their inner worlds with OH cards and creative clay activities. Interpersonal activities involved making friendship bracelets, enhancing social skills and strengthening bonds.In the naturalistic section, students created nature-themed bookmarks, fostering a love and respect for the environment. Logical-mathematical challenges sharpened their reasoning and math skills. On the musical stage, a song-guessing game let students enjoy the thrill of music amid laughter. The event concluded with a photo booth, capturing unforgettable moments and making this Psychology Carnival a highlight of their MIX Day.

Cross-Discpline Competitive Events  

Mock Trial

In the ZT Lecture Hall, a series of captivating events unfolded, including a mock trial that proceeded as planned. The case, adapted from incidents during the U.S. election, saw the prosecution trying to prove the defendant's motive and ability to commit the crime, while the defense argued that the prosecution had the wrong person. Students played all roles, including defense lawyers, prosecutors, witnesses, and judges, fully embodying each character's professional attributes.

The audience, seated around the courtroom, took on the task of reconstructing the truth through the details of testimony and cross-examination. The prosecution and defense passionately contested each piece of evidence, adhering strictly to rules of evidence law and reflecting the trial's solemn nature through court etiquette and professional language. Carefully arranged defense strategies and evidence exclusion battles highlighted the difficulty of establishing facts legally and underscored the importance of proving a criminal case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Investment Conference

In the afternoon, a group of young chemistry students gathered in the Blackbox, but their discussion had shifted to innovative business ideas. They were hosting a unique investment conference focused on the chemistry field. These student "entrepreneurs" presented a range of projects, including perfumes, lipsticks, and rice wine. Their presentations showcased not only their strong chemistry knowledge but also their creativity and attention to detail in product development.

Over the past month, these high school students dedicated significant effort to researching, designing, and perfecting their products. Their work highlighted the exciting possibilities that come from combining economics and chemistry.

Teacher-Student Debate

The teacher-student debate was a major highlight of this year's MIX Day. Early in the morning, the ZT lecture hall was packed with an eager audience, creating a vibrant atmosphere. On stage, four popular teachers faced off against top debaters from the Chinese Debate Club, delivering a captivating showdown.

The unique and thought-provoking theme, "Is 'You Really Tried' a Compliment?" along with innovative rules, added extra excitement. Real-time "Who is More Persuasive" comparison charts enhanced audience engagement and interaction. Filled with sharp quotes and intense exchanges, the event kept the audience fully immersed. Frequent applause and laughter created a lively scene, enriching MIX Day and showcasing the compelling allure of debate.

Humanity Fair

This year's MIX Day introduced a special feature—the Humanities Fair. Organized by three Grade 11 students and enthusiastically supported by various humanities-related clubs and individuals, the inaugural SHSID Humanities Fair took place in the Hall of the XMT Annex Building. Throughout the day, the fair offered a series of engaging activities, including presentations, interactive exhibits, campus history tours, and showcases exploring the many facets of human culture and society. The event provided a platform for students to showcase their achievements and share their passion for the humanities, offering opportunities to explore various subjects and engage with like-minded peers.

The Multicultural International Expo at SHSID was more than just a lineup of activities; it was a chance to fully embrace diversity and celebrate the unique atmosphere of our campus. With the successful conclusion of "MIX Day," our commitment to exploration and innovation has only strengthened. We are more determined and courageous in our pursuit of excellence and future endeavors, fueling limitless possibilities and momentum for what lies ahead. Join us in this celebration of culture, creativity, and community!

(Written/Pictures by various High School departments and students)