High Intellectual Display Crowns Season 7 of Senior Sharks
The atmosphere was electrifying, with chants, battle cries, and gyration from fans of participating schools billowing through the ceiling of the GNAT Hall, Adabraka.
When pre-competition excitement had quietened, business for the day- preparations for the semi finals and grand finale of the Senior Sharks 7 ushered in immediately.
Earlier, opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Abel Ohene Acquaye, Executive Director of the ATDP-Ghana, organizers of the Sharks Quiz.
Renowned Educationist and Board Member of the ATDP-Ghana, Mr. Anis Haffar, also gave a brief motivational speech to the students.
He reiterated that even though the quiz is a local brand, it has an international character, and therefore urged students to avail themselves for the boundless opportunities the quiz and ATDP-Ghana offer.
The events happening at the GNAT Hall, Adabraka, Accra, had truly gripped the attention of the nation and were trending on social media.
And in a repeat of Senior Sharks 5 finals, Presec, Legon, and St. Peter’s SHS, Nkwatia, found themselves at the finals of Senior Sharks 7 yet again.
Background
The semi finals and grand finale of the Senior Sharks 7 quiz were held on Thursday May 30, 2024, at the GNAT Hall, Adabraka, Accra.
Before the grand finale of Senior Sharks 7, two semifinal contests- St. Augustine’s College and Presec on one hand, and Labone SHS and St. Peter’s SHS on the other hand had been conducted.
In the first contest, Presec recorded a quadruple of semi finals wins over St. Augustine’s College.
St. Peter’s SHS were pushed to their elastic limit by Labone, but they soaked in the imminent threat to return to the finals again after narrowly missing out in Season 6.
On the strength of the foregoing, Presec, Legon, and St. Peter’s, Nkwatia, booked a date for their repeat or revenge “thriller in Adabraka”.
Grand finale between Presec and St. Peter’s
En route to winning their first ever Senior Sharks trophy in Season 5, St. Peter’s ran victorious over Presec.
An opportunity to avenge the defeat was always on the table for the Blue Magicians, who came into Season 7 looking for a third crown.
The contest itself was one of the highest levels any two teams could attain, with all contestants displaying elite mentality.
St. Peter’s unfortunately wobbled into the contest without earning any points in the first round.
It was not the best way to enter into a contest with the enormously endowed Presecans.
But just when fans thought all hope had gone with the wind, St. Peter’s, in the STEM round beat the Presecans in their own backyard to give themselves a mathematical chance of unseating the Presecans in the last round.
Their last ditch effort though was quite belated in the day, and Presec would go on to achieve la tres in the Senior Sharks quiz.
That both schools earned scores beyond the hundred (100) mark threshold gave evidence to the quality that was witnessed.
Congratulations to all of them.
Group and Individual Special Awards
For exhibiting exceptional abilities and emerging as the cream of the crop, special awards went to deserving contestants and coaches.
Presec swept most of the individual awards for the high level of brain power they exhibited as a collective.
In Numeracy, Excell (Presec) was judged the best among the rest.
Eugene, also of Presec came tops in Literacy, literally and figuratively.
Organisers paid homage to David (Presec) for being the best in General Knowledge.
St. Peter’s, despite their loss were comforted to produce Ampong as the proud recipient of the Best in STEM award.
The award for Most Promising Contestant went to Brian and Noble of St. Augustine’s College and Labone SHS respectively.
Deservedly, Best Female Contestant was given to Michelle of Labone SHS.
Obrempong, Presec’s lone wolf in STEM trumped all to win the Overall Best Contestant.
Cognizant of the invaluable contributions of coaches and coordinators, organizers gave a special award for a coach whose guidance brought their school farthest in the competition.
Coach Pious of Presec, as his reward for being the best coach would be accorded most of the perks that the contestants will enjoy, including a fully funded educational trip.
Cash prize and medals
Winning the Senior Sharks Quiz is a wholly rewarding and satisfying experience academically and financially.
In fulfillment of its obligations, organizers issued participating teams with dud cheques, medals and souvenirs from sponsors.
For placing 4th in the competition, Labone SHS took home a cash prize of GHS 5000 and bronze medals.
St. Augustine’s College, 2nd runner-up for three times received a cash prize of GHS 7000 and bronze medals.
Losing finalists, St. Peter’s SHS, received a cash prize of GHS 10000 and silver medals.
The champions of Senior Sharks 7, Presec, Legon, received a cash prize of GHS 20,000 and gold medals.
Above all, the Blue Magicians carried home the iconic “Golden Book of Knowledge” trophy.
All award winners and recipients also took home souvenirs and branded items- courtesy the Sharks team and organizers.
Sponsors acknowledgement
Representative of major sponsor, Fidelity Bank, Mr. Thomas Agyei, Director of Retail Segment, brought felicitations from his outfit while outlining some products of the bank, especially the ‘Fidelity Bright Kids Account’.
Academic City University College, sponsors of a full ride presidential scholarship for one lucky contestant was represented by Madam Nelly Agyemang-Gyamfi.
She was eloquent about the vast array of courses available at the University, specially tailored to meet today’s challenges.
Mr. Ebo Richardson, is the Managing Director of G-Money, who, by their magnanimity, have rewarded in monetary value each correct answer given in the Social Literacy Round throughout the competition.
He was optimistic about the potential of the Sharks Quiz to enhance the academic endeavours of the Ghanaian student, and the reason why G-Money is thrilled to be part of it.
Other high profile officials included the Deputy Minister of Education Hon. Ntim Fodjour and Director in charge of STEM Education, Mrs Olivia Opare at the Ghana Education Service .
Family Health Medical School and Ashesi University, long standing sponsors of the quiz also received honorable mentions.
To all the teams and coaches, sponsors, MCs, floor managers, ushers, and other supporting staff, we say kudos! for an excellent execution.
The Sharks Quiz is developed by the Academic Talent Development Program and produced by the Adesa Production Limited (APL).
Sponsors: MTN, G-Money, Fidelity Bank, Academic City University College, Family Health Medical School, Ashesi University, and University of the Free State, South Africa.
Reviewer – Ebo Hagan
