On the morning of November 4, 2024, SHBS welcomed the first flag-raising ceremony of November. On this day, the sky was clear, with sunlight streaming through thin clouds onto the school playground, casting a golden glow over the entire campus. Teachers and students gathered solemnly on the playground, witnessing this sacred moment together.

The flag-raising ceremony began with the solemn national anthem playing. The bright red flag slowly rose accompanied by an inspiring melody, fluttering under the azure sky. At this moment, whether teachers or students, strong feelings of patriotism and honor surged in their hearts.

Subsequently, student representative Thea stood beneath the national flag and delivered a speech titled "Facing Challenges, Achieving a Better Self". She likened life to climbing a mountain, pointing out that challenges are everywhere on this path, serving as both obstacles on the journey forward and touchstones to test individual willpower and capabilities. "When facing challenges, we must first have courage" she emphasized. Courage is not the absence of fear but the determination to persevere in the face of fear. This encouragement is not only for the seniors facing university applications but also a motivation for all current students. Wisdom comes from continuous learning and practice, with thoughtful consideration during difficult times and reflective analysis after problem-solving being steps towards wisdom growth. To illustrate this point, she mentioned a recent Halloween event organized by the school, which not only retained traditional elements but also incorporated innovative designs, such as using immersive storytelling to connect the entire event flow, greatly enhancing participants' experience. This not only serves as an exercise in students' creativity but also a concrete manifestation of applying wisdom.

Furthermore, she emphasized the value of teamwork. Not long ago, the school's representative team achieved excellent results in the 2024 iGEM International Genetic Engineering Machine Challenge, winning 1 global gold award and 3 global silver awards. Behind this honor are the countless efforts and sweat of the team members, showcasing their courage to challenge, ability to cooperate, and willingness to innovate.

The monthly flag-raising ceremony is not only an opportunity for patriotic education yet also a vibrant lesson in life philosophy. It reminds every student at SHBS that no matter how rough the future path may be, as long as they have enough courage, wisdom, and spirit of teamwork, there is nothing that cannot be overcome. Let us bravely face every challenge together and write our own splendid chapters with practical actions.