Helmbridge to Award Cash Next Science Challenge

After 33 years of awarding winners with trophies and certificates, Helmbridge Science Challenge, an international quiz competition for high school students, has added a cash prize to attract more participants to the competition. Rebecca Ejifoma writes 

Dr Sylva Ashimole handing over the trophy to St. Finbarr's Captain, Nzeamalu

 
The mini hall was on tension. It seemed like an angel had passed by – an old primary school adage. But then, you could hear the echoes of the students’ heartthrobs creating countless rhythms.

All sprucely dressed in their different schools' uniform, they perched like sculptures and remained unruffled. Their teachers - occupying the front seats - watched anxiously. Then, softly, the timekeeper jingled the bell for the kick-off of the contest. It was a moment of suspense.

Now, while the 16 contesting students were called to mount the scorching stage, a large number of supporters from the audience cheered them with thumbs-up and dashing smiles followed by a light thunderclap. There was silence again.

Interestingly, eight students from each side of the two schools contesting sat on opposing sides. But while the challenging school, St. Finbarr’s College (Akoka) was set, the defending champion, Penny International College was short one.  

At this time, both Penny and Finbarr's fidgeted and prayed. But obviously, it was for different reasons. Perhaps, while one team prayed for its missing member to arrive, the other knelt against it.

No doubt, the audience fixed their eyes on the big brown clock hanging on the right side of the white wall. But unfortunately, it was time up. Penny student never came.

Therefore, it was time to give it up for Finbarr’s. The match players and all her supporters gave a quaking rumble, and resounding whistling with leaps of joy and punches in the air. Yes! For Finbarr's, it was a fine moment of music and jigs.

Records were made. Records were broken. For the first time since 1982, Finbarr’s won the 2015 Helmbridge Science Challenge. And for the first time, Penny International College lost after many years of accolades. 

“That school [Penny] has been the defending champion eight times. No school has been able to pull it until today,” said the Director of the Centre, Mr Chris Itua.

On the quest to grow students in Science subjects, he said that the morale of the boys was dying. “See what happened today. Some boys went for another competition where they will get cash. That disorganised today.”

According to him, although they have not got sponsors, the Centre is not ready to lobby for anything. He said they have been to some organisations  for support. But their proposals met brick walls.

Sadly, he said: “For now a school has to win the Challenge nine different times before the trophy can finally belong to it. It’s because we don’t have sponsors.” But he said he would love to see these boys take the trophy to their schools every time they win.

No minding its purse string, Itua assured the students that cash would be attached to the consolation prizes from 2016. These prizes and trophies are awarded to 1st, 2^nd and 3^rd positions. Even students from the audience, who solve sums constantly, are awarded, too.

But also, he said they always announce to the students that using the library is free. And the Science laboratory is intacked - all thanks to Rotary.

However, this annual challenge [from the words of the students] prepares participants not only for the brain-racking, yearly over-flooded Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) but also for the Post-UTME.

They are tried in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and, General Knowledge in nine weeks. They include SS1 and SS2 students only.

So, this year, while Yaba College came 4^th, St. Michael emerged 3^rd.  But the students are determined to fight even stronger next year, especially with the news of the side flavour - cash.

In the words of the captain of St. Finbarr’s, Nzeamalu Chikelue Austin, it has been very interesting although tough, too. “I am very happy that my school has got the trophy today. It was tough. We had to forfeit some classes.”

Nzeamalu said he was part of it last year as an SS1. “Knowing that I would be part of this year's, I already started preparing earlier.”

Beyond just winning the trophy, Nzeamalu, who couldn't stop smiling enthused that the preparation has enhanced and broadened his knowledge. “This helps me listen more in class and assimilate whatever it is I am taught.”

Speaking with THISDAY, the Guest Speaker and Managing Director of Peninsula Standard Trust Limited, Dr Sylva Ashimole, commended the Centre. He said the challenge has taken many ex-students, including his two sons, to the peak.

He said: "Nowadays, there is more pressure on the side of the youths. An example is the young man that shot nine people at the church in US."

"So, it is important we begin to educate these children and give them very strong moral and Spiritual formation, a value the social media lack. It is one of the strong emphases in Helmbridge.

I’m very proud of the competition. Hardly have you seen one school win it consecutively three times. It is always intense. I’m sure that with more publicity a lot of students will get interested in Sciences,” he explained.

Accordingly, he foretold that if such contest continued the country might begin to produce the needed man power in Sciences and in technology among others. "The competition should be taken wider. Other regions should be motivated to partake in it."

Igniting the students further, Ashimole told them to take it very seriously. “It will enrich your knowledge and form you into responsible men in the future.”

From his words, Ashimole said: “This is like an oasis in the desert building up your career. Take your minds off negative things.”

Above all, he urged them to utilize all the facilities in the centre – the library, the computer, and the science laboratories. He said this would build them into successful men.

It is interesting to note, however, that Helmbridge Science Challenge has organized various competitions for secondary schools in the state. While the Centre was founded in 1972 the competition came to light in 1982.

Some of the competitions include the Computer Contest, the Junior Challenge alongside the Helmbridge Basketball contest. They hold annually.

The Directors believe that the Challenge is so popular that 16 of the 20 schools that enrolled participated this year. The secondary schools were: Yaba College of Technology, Shining Lord’s, St. Michael’s Anglican College, Jubilee Model Grammar Sch., Fountain Heights, and St. Gregory’s College.

Others included: St. Jude Private Sch., May Day College, Topgrade, Surulere Senior sch., Methodist Boys, Birch Freeman, Community Senior Grammar, and ABS College.

Meanwhile, Helmbridge, as told, was established as a project of the Educational Cooperation Society, a non-profit trust registered in Nigeria. It aims at complementing the academic, moral and character training, which boys receive both at home and school.

The moral training offered at the centre is entrusted to Opus Dei, a personal prelature in the Catholic Church, founded on October 2, 1928 by Saint Josemaria Escriva.

Surprisingly, it was a rainy Saturday morning. Much gnashing of teeth and shivering were expected. But the students conquered the weather with their varying voices. Their joyful noise went viral through the walls of the hexagonal building.

They held the golden trophy for hours jubilating – passing it on from one person to the other; taking selfies and group shots. Everyone wanted a feel.

Whether it was a walkover-victory or not, St.Finbarr's students were certain it was a job well-done, as they tread the paths of champions.