In the golden season of autumn, laughter and cheers filled the air at the SHSID Puxi Campus sports field. The afternoon of October 13th marked the grand opening of the Grades 4–5 Autumn Sports Day.Present at the ceremony were Mr. Feng Zhigang, Principal of SHS, Mr. Ma Feng, Principal of SHSID High School, Ms. Liu Fang, Vice Principal of SHSID Middle and Primary School, as well as other school leaders and section directors from the Puxi Campus. They joined together to cheer on the young athletes and officially launch this vibrant celebration of sportsmanship and energy.

Accompanied by stirring music, the much-anticipated "Olympics" themed parade took center stage. Twenty classes, comprising 509 student athletes, marched in neat formation with high spirits and creativity. Each class represented a different "Olympic host country," bringing to life iconic sports and cultural elements: The Greece team simulated the torch relay and javelin throw, paying tribute to the ancient origins of athletics; Germany demonstrated marathon endurance through steady running; Britain brought rugby to the field with dynamic passing moves; China showcased its national sport— table tennis— led by five lively mascots performing swift, rhythmic paddle swings; Canada's athletes donned helmets and pads to reenact the thrilling world of ice sports. Each of the twenty classes highlighted a signature sport of their chosen nation, blending athletic spirit with creativity and allowing diverse sports cultures to shine vividly on the field.

After the parade, Ms. Lu Luting, Director of SHSID Puxi Campus Grade 4-5, delivered the opening speech. She introduced a short video titled "Our Little Sports Stars," featuring the familiar faces of the students themselves. The video captured moments of perseverance and passion: students practicing ice hockey on the rink, swimming laps with determination, perfecting moves in rhythmic gymnastics, and bravely tackling mountain biking, rock climbing, fencing, and skateboarding. Through these glimpses of dedication, both in training and in competition, the audience felt the true power of persistence and breakthrough that lies at the heart of sportsmanship.

All students from Grades 4 and 5 then took the stage for a high-energy flag dance. Holding blue flags, they moved in rhythmic unison: raising flags high to form a wave, swinging them side to side to mimic the cheers of the crowd, and circling together to create a brilliant burst like fireworks. Smiles beamed across faces as fluttering flags filled the field.

Next, the Dragon Dance performance by Chinese and international teachers ignited the atmosphere. The golden dragon twisted and turned with grace, the perfect blend of traditional Chinese culture and athletic enthusiasm drew waves of applause and cheers that echoed across the field.

Let the games begin! Ms. Liu Fang officially announced the start of the Sports Day. The opening event, the "Hula Hoop Challenge," immediately set a cheerful tone. Students swiftly ducked through hoops, while teachers competed with equal enthusiasm. Laughter and shouts of encouragement filled the air, spreading the joy of sports to everyone present.

Right after that, the "8×50M Relay" pushed the atmosphere to an even higher peak. The runners from each class gathered at the track, ready for action. As the race began, the first runners dashed forward with full force, while their teammates waited to take the baton, running faster and overtaking others. Every handoff was filled with trust and responsibility. Even more thrilling was the moment when teachers joined the relay, running side by side with their students and sharing the same sweat and spirit. On the track, runners fought with determination, while in the stands, cheers and shouts echoed one after another. The mix of tension and excitement filled the entire field with contagious energy.

After that, a series of team events testing cooperation took place in the indoor gymnasium. In the "Obstacle Relay," students had to overcome carefully designed challenges and push forward with determination. The "Boulder Run" tested both speed and teamwork, as smooth coordination was the key to success. During the "Caterpillar Dash" classmates moved in perfect rhythm, chanting "One, two! One, two!" while the roaring cheers from the sidelines filled the hall. In the "Cornhole," accuracy was the deciding factor, as students focused, aimed, and tossed their beanbags with precision. These competitive yet playful events fully ignited everyone's enthusiasm for sports.

This sports meet was not only a grand celebration of athleticism but also a vivid lesson in growth. On this field, young athletes experienced both the thrill of competition and the warmth of teamwork. They celebrated victories and learned the courage to face challenges. Every stride and every cheer captured the vibrant spirit of youth. Although the sports meet has come to an end, the energetic Sports Week continues. We believe that our students will carry the passion and perseverance they showed on the field forward, finding joy in movement, growth in challenge, and strength in the enduring spirit of sports.

(Written by Cathy Cao

Pictures by Minxuan Cao, Parent Volunteers and Teachers

Reviewed by Ms. Lu Luting, Shiyu Wu, Grace Gilmore)