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First Prelim
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2020-09-03 21:46:39“Welcome to another exciting season of Olympiad, your favourite mathematics TV quiz show for secondary schools within Heart city, a city for all,” the quiz master anchoring the competition said, all at once with smiles on his face.
The quiz master is live on stage in Ace TV studios with 6 contestants in front of him and an audience behind them, who sat in three rows and ten columns. The seats, on which the audience sat, were arranged in a stadia-like manner. Each row has a minimum of 40 seat space. The six participating contestants for that day were standing in front of a pulpit each, with a digital in-built screen on the surface. The in-built screen is a digitalized device in which the contestants would use in providing answers to the questions asked. The quiz master is also standing in front of a pulpit similar to that of the contestants. The only difference is that he uses his to read out questions and monitor points of the contestants. The 6 pulpits of the con
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“Ladies and gentlemen,” the quiz master began to say, after the applause had subsided. “There we have our six contestants in the junior category. They are about to go through two rounds.” He paused to observe both the contestants and the audience. The joy on their faces gave him the reassurance he needed. This competition still holds value and he was glad to be its anchor.“The first round is 12 objective questions where they each have 5 seconds to input their answer on the digital screen in front of them. At the end of round 1, the top 3 contestants with the highest score move on to round 2” – he chuckled – “which is the Olympiad 60 seconds of fame.“In round 2, each contestant will be given 60 seconds to provide answers to questions as much as possible. At the end of round 1 and 2, the two contestants with the highest combined score in both rounds, move to the semifinals.”The quiz master sighed
Last Updated : 2020-09-05Glimpse of Hope Who was Disqualified?
“Oops!” Funmi sighed.” I would have skinned her alive if she had answered that first question wrong.”Funmi was seated among her school mates at the left flank of the audience seats. They had taken position at a vantage point where they could have a good view of their very own, Ayomide Cole. Funmi was however not happy with Ayomide for entering a tiebreak with a student that scored below her in the qualifying examination.“Funmi, you are talking now,” Perfect said. She was also one of the students, from her school, that have been given the grace to witness the competition first-hand. “Can you even answer that question?”“I…” She wanted to say but her voice trailed off as she heard what Perfect said next.“At least she scored above you in the qualifying exams!”“Third tie break question!” Al-ameen, a JSS 3 student said and held his hand on his head. He w
Last Updated : 2020-09-06Glimpse of Hope 60 Seconds of Fame
“I now know why she’s smiling and using her fingers to stroke her cheeks,” Adura said out of the blues. Ever since she saw Ayo smile, she had been wondering what would make her do so. And just now, it became dawn on her.“Why?” Perfect asked. She had been as inquisitive as Adura was. She didn’t just give it much thought.“She’s actually crying and using her fingers to wipe the tears.”“You don’t mean it!”“She’s right!” Al-ameen supported the claim, not looking at the person he was talking to.Perfect shook her head. “I don’t blame her.”“Oh! No!” Emmanuel brought his palm to his face fully. “0.96 seconds?”“That was really fast,” Funmi said, giving her opinion, without being asked for one.“Yes,” Oreoluwa agreed with Adura. “I can now see her tears. She&rs
Last Updated : 2020-09-07Glimpse of Hope Stray Hope
“I feel for her,” Emmanuel said sadly. Bode, one of the participants, had just ended his round in the 60 seconds of fame.“Me too,” Perfect agreed beside him. She too was as sad as Emmanuel and it seems like everyone of them shared the same emotion that very moment. They are all eager to know what the final points hold, hoping it doesn’t lead to another tiebreak.“What do you think, Perfect?” Emmanuel asked, not looking away from Ayo.“I believe she will score higher than that boy.” She pointed towards Bode, who wore a comfortable smile on his face as the quizmaster queried him.“I want to believe so too,” Emmanuel said, now staring at Perfect in the eyes. “But could she score more than Anu?”Perfect sighed and buried her face in her palms. She looked back at Emmanuel with inquisitive eyes. “Are you implying the boy and Ayo are likely to have a tiebreak?”“Something like that,” Emmanuel said. “Or Anu and the boy are on the same point, with A
Last Updated : 2020-09-10Glimpse of Hope I Remember
Back at home, on Monday evening following the first preliminary stage of the Mathematics Olympiad, Bukky was watching the video clip on television, because she wasn’t present to watch it live as events unfold. Ayo on the other hand was getting herself prepared for the semifinals, which obviously wouldn’t come until all preliminaries had been done.“Hey, Ayo!” Bukky, well relaxed on the comfortable two-seater couch, called out. “Did you notice how that girl kept looking at you?” She asked without turning to look at Ayo, instead she was focused on the television and pointing at it with the remote control on her hand.“Which girl?” Ayo asked curiously. She was seated in the study section, adjacent to where Bukky sat. It had just a chair and a table, which contained various study materials stacked neatly upon one another. She looked up from the tablet she was holding while she disconnected the wireless headset from her earhole.“The one in blue striped uniform.”
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Lizben Schools, Four years AgoIt was the month of July, 2014 Lizben schools had just vacated for the third term of the 2013/2014 academic session. It was a day after the end of the session party. She was seated in the classroom with her best friend.“AY, has your dad arrived?” a girl, standing adjacent to where Ayo sat, asked.“My dad? Are you sleeping?” Ayo replied, sarcastically. “Have you forgotten he travelled out of the country?”“Oh! I forgot.” The girl covered her mouth with her palms. “I hope your mum is coming then.”“I don’t know. She promised to be here by 10 and” – she glanced at her wristwatch – “it’s now quarter to 11. She’s still not here.”“She would come, maybe it's traffic.”“What about your parents?”“My daddy is here already. He’s currently in the headmistress office.”Ayo looked down at her feet. “I wish my dad would just appear.”“It’s not only appear. It’s disappear!”“You know what I mean Anu,
Last Updated : 2020-09-12Glimpse of Hope Sixth Prelim
How time flies? It’s already the 6th preliminary stage in the Mathematics Olympiad. Aside from Ayo, who had qualified for the semifinals, Perfect had also qualified in the senior category during the 2nd preliminary and Funmi; in the junior category during the 5th preliminary. Perfect did excellently well, leaving the runner-up 15 points behind, which has been unheard of since the inception of the Mathematics Olympiad. She had answered a total of 16 questions in the 60 seconds of fame. While Funmi was only able to squeeze in after going through a tiebreak in the 2nd round.“It’s the 6th prelim!” the quiz master announced for all to hear. “It is good to see your beautiful faces once more after an exciting 5th prelim where we witnessed Damilola Oladapo, a student from Beacon High School, break a record previously set in this year’s Mathematics Olympiad in the junior category by another student from Nightingale Academy.” He paused to take a breath.“Isn’t that exciting?” he
Last Updated : 2020-09-14Glimpse of Hope School Resumes
“Hi, Funmi,” Ayo greeted as soon as she entered SSS 1 Science classroom that Monday morning. School had just resumed for the 2018/2019 session. The previous JSS 3 students were now in SSS 1 and in their various choice of departments: Science, Technical, Commercial and Humanities.“Hi, Ayomide,” Funmi replied with the wave of her hand, making way for her to step farther in. “What about your friend? I guess she is in humanities.”“No. Not at all,” Ayo said without being annoyed as she already knew Funmi was trying to mock her friend. “She’s in commercial class. She wants to be an accountant.”“Oh! I see,” Funmi reacted and walked behind Ayo to where the latte was headed. “What about you?”“I don’t really know.” She sat and Funmi hurriedly sat beside her. “I want to be someone who impart knowledge on others.”“A teacher then?”“Maybe! Preferably, a lecturer.”“Hey! Guys,” Oreoluwa called as he walked towards the duo. He dropped his bag on Funmi
Last Updated : 2020-09-15
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Glimpse of Hope The Hangout
It’s Saturday evening, a week after the misunderstanding between Ayo and Bukky. Ayo along with Funmi and Oreoluwa just arrived at the Heart City Shopping Mall, where Anu had promised to meet with them. She dialed Anu’s number after a few minutes of waiting, with no sign of her.“Go into the restaurant section. I will meet you there in five minutes.” – Anu had told her over the phone.They walked into the restaurant and found a table near the glass wall that served as a demarcation from the outside. Ayo picked that spot because it would enable her to see everything going on outside. They settled on the seats around the table, leaving an empty for Anu. Before Anu’s arrival, they had ordered chicken fries and began enjoying the meal.True to Anu’s word. Less than five minutes after they had settled, she strolled in, flaunting a pink one hand bag. She had previously seen them while entering the restaurant, so she headed towards them immediately and soon took her seat.
Glimpse of Hope Entanglement
The following day was a Sunday. Ayo was alone in the study room in their home. She and her family had just returned from church service. Her mom was resting as her pregnancy is now very much visible. Bayo had returned to school after church service that afternoon and her step-dad, who had driven him to the car park, was yet to return.Ayo went over her ordeal of the previous day; qualifying for the Olympiad finals, which was a dream come true for her but not totally fulfilled as she still had a gold medal to win. Meeting Anu, her childhood friend, was another thing she had been excited about. Thinking of Anu, She dashed to her room and ransacked her school uniform where she found the paper Anu had given her. It was just where she left it, in her breast pocket.She brought out her smartphone, which her step-dad gave her as a gift on her last birthday. She had rarely used the phone since then. But today, she was going to use it.“Hello,” –
Glimpse of Hope Revelation
As soon as Oreoluwa exited the room, Funmi wiped her tears and faced Ayo squarely.“I’m listening,” Ayo urged.“At first” – Funmi sighed and rested her back on the wall behind. She used her palm to cover her face in frustration – “Oh! My God! I don’t know how to begin.”“Just tell me the important details.”“Okay, I think I can do that!” She sat up and rested each elbow on her thighs, using one hand to support her head. “I helped you because I wanted to… I mean I really picked interest in you on your first day in school and I wanted to get to know you. But…” Her voice trailed off again but she picked up almost immediately. “But when you won the annual math quiz ahead of me. I...” She buried her face in her palms and it took a pat from Ayo for her to regain her confidence. Staring at Ayo, she said, “I began to dislike you an
Glimpse of Hope Malevolent Intent
“See you later. I want to speak to Ore.” That was the last statement Funmi uttered to the duo of Ayo and Anu before she left them in the middle of the backstage room where she met them. She walked up to Oreoluwa as she’d said she would but not because she actually wanted to talk to him or have a conversation of any sort. She had said so to excuse herself from the conversation Ayo and her friend were having. Here, she was behind Oreoluwa and unable to say anything.“I guess she is from your school.” Damilola pointed behind Oreoluwa to alert him of the intruder that had joined.Oreoluwa looked behind and found a depressed Funmi. “Yes, she is.”“I guess I would leave you two to talk then.” Damilola left them there by cutting her conversation with Oreoluwa short.“What’s wrong with you?” Oreoluwa demanded from Funmi.“I’m… fine,” she said. Her arms folded a
Glimpse of Hope Becoming Famous
“Congratulations Ayo,” Oreoluwa said and extended a hand for a shake as Ayo walked into the backstage room of Ace studios, the venue of the Mathematics Olympiad.Ayo refused the hand and hugged him instead. “Thanks for those kind words, Ore. I will never forget.”“Oh! So sweet,” Perfect said as she walked past them to the stage. It was her turn in the senior category semifinals.“Good luck!” Ayo and Oreoluwa said after her. She waved at them without turning back.“Oreoluwa!” Damilola called. She had been watching the duo for a while and didn’t want to interrupt the moment.“Yes!” Oreoluwa turned to identify the owner of the voice that called.“Nice speech out there,” Damilola said, moving towards them. She extended her left hand and hurriedly changed it to her right. “Oh! Sorry. I’m a left-hander.”He took the hand gladly. &ldqu
Glimpse of Hope Honour
“Wow! Unbelievable,” the quiz master said. Ayo’s Olympiad 60 seconds of fame had just ended. “Those last 45 seconds were awesome!” He heaved a sigh to ease the pressure he had felt while reading the questions to Ayo.“Thank you, sir,” Ayo muttered. Her palms were sweaty, so was her forehead. She wiped some off but they seem to be stuck. She regretted not coming with her handkerchief. The applause the audience gave her after, were deafening and sort of eased the tension she felt as she smiled back at them. However, all she hoped was that her awful first 15 seconds doesn’t hinder her qualification. Without a tie break, she thought.“I would say I’ve never seen such before.” The quiz master wiped sweat off his forehead with his handkerchief. “I need to ask. Ayo, what happened in the first fifteen seconds?”Ayo hadn’t expected that question and she wished she could avoid it but she couldn’t. She looked down as she always does and the ‘Just do it’ inscription on her Nik
Glimpse of Hope Self Doubt
Ayo listened as the quiz master told Damilola that she had qualified and Francis, disqualified. She and Lateefah were the only ones left and she isn’t so sure if she was faster than the other girl, who seems bright under the cotton she used to cover her hair. It however made her look beautiful. Ayo was anxiously waiting for the quiz master’s next statement, so she could let out the tears that welled up in her eyes, either for joy or sorrow. Then, she heard the quiz master say something she wasn’t expecting to hear. She looked down at her feet and let out a soft smile. As she did this, a tear dropped from her eyes.“You ought to be happy!” the quiz master said. “Given that you were able to remove two of the boys.” He smiled.She smiled back as the audience applauded.“Congratulations to you! Your average response time is 0.83 seconds,” the quiz master said.Ayomide looked in Lateefah’s direction a
Glimpse of Hope Hidden Intentions
“Audience, what do you think?” the quiz master asked rhetorically. The first round had just come to an end and everyone awaited the result. “It’s been an interesting and amazing first round,” he said to the contestants.The contestants couldn’t hold their anxiety, as they all stood on the toes awaiting the quiz master’s next words. He smiled before he continued, “I would have loved to see all of your faces in the semifinals but” – he sighed – “that’s not possible.”“Which three among them won’t proceed to the second round?” the quiz master asked yet another rhetorical question, which further puts the anxiety of the contestants on edge. They stole glances of one another as they waited.“Wow!” He looked down on the digital screen and up at the audience. “The scores are really close. I mean really… really close and definitely th
Glimpse of Hope Hypocrisy
“I really liked it as Ore and Ayo are placed together in the semifinals,” Funmi said as they settled in their seats, ready to witness the first semifinal stage of the mathematics Olympiad.It’s been quite an interesting Olympiad, which has seen 54 contestants against one another in 9 different stages, in each of the categories; Junior and Senior. In each category, each week had always featured 6 contestants and at the end, 2 contestants would emerge as winners to progress to the semifinals. At the end of the preliminaries, there were only 18 contestants left who were further divided into 3 groups; each group having 6 contestants to battle for the top 2 again, who will then advance to the finals.Here it was, the first semifinals! The first six contestants stood as usual behind each of the pulpits while the quiz master was at his. The stage lights had already been lit and each of them seemed anxious as to what the first round held.“I wish both of them good lu
