I was in fifth grade back then many years ago, and thinking back now, it really seems like centuries ago. The examination for that year was pretty unique. Having to study hard for and pass about 10 subjects was daunting! But I was certain I had done enough. We always had a prize-giving day at the end of every academic year. It was a ceremony to showcase to parents who the very best of the students in the school were and to inspire and encourage others who would love to be showcased to put in more effort.
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This particular year, I was very please with myself. I was confident of my abilities and the performances I had put on during the year particularly the last term. The final exams seemed like a breeze and I knew within me that I had done enough to get the grades . The last time I took home any prize was when I was in first grade. I wasn't even in school on the day to get my prize because I was ill, so my mom had to go to my school to get my reward for that year. So this time I was confident that I had done enough to merit a mention when the day came.
Our report cards were always released at the last day of the last term, the same day the prize-giving ceremonies would normally hold. I heard funny stories of pupils who would destroy their report cards on their way home simply because they had woefully outdone even themselves. You can imagine the feeling if you were told you were first from behind (an easier phrase for the last position). Some would give excuses of having their report cards eaten up by goats; dogs snatching and shredded them to pieces. All sorts of stories appeared. I was confident that that was never going to be my story. Aside the confidence of having done well, I could never go down that route because of the fear of my father. He knew everything so that wasn't going to happen.
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The moment of truth came, we all had to crowd round the teacher as she called our names to issue our report cards. She stood on a pedestal and one could see from the back the inking on the card. When it got to my turn, I was pretty excited when I saw 1 right at the column where the overall position was inked. But my hope was soon dashed with my knowledge of mathematics, that the first position would always have an "st" superscript, that is, 1st. But unfortunately I saw a "th", meaning I wasn't even good enough to be ranked in the top nine in the class and the best I could hope for was the 10th position. I immediately felt like a rush of cold water was pour over me and my parade came to an end. When I eventually had it handed to me, it was even worst than the best I could hope for. I took the 11th position! Meaning, I was the eleventh best student in the class. I immediately decided I wasn't going to stay for the ceremony any more, so I placed my report card in my school bag and I left for home. As I walked out through the gates, I looked back and I made a vow within me and I said to myself that the next year, would be my year, no matter what the case would be. The walk home was long and hard. It normally took about 20 mins to complete the journey, but on that particular day, it felt like eternity!
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When the new academic year began the following year, I had my vow firmly planted at the back of my mind and I was pretty determined to make sure it came to reality. My first day in school saw me earn a bad label or should I say reputation with my new class teacher. I somehow found myself in the midst of a brood of the class "badboys" or truants. I got punished on that very day before she gave the class a flash test to rearrange the class seating order.
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Her intention was to arrange the class in such a way that the best students where closest to her. I can still remember vividly, each desk had two students and there were four columns of desks and chairs, with each column having five rows. Which meant each column had ten students and the first row on the first column closest to her would have the two best students in the class. After the flash test, as she announced the results for the students to take their seats accordingly, she was really surprised to find out that I was on the first row of the first column! That was the beginning of the turn around. She had this test done every week and it was a motivation for me to constantly be on my toes. I never left the first column for the rest of the academic year. There was a time we did a mock test of 100 questions in Mathematics to be completed in 60 minutes. I ended up getting 100% and I was the only one with full marks!
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She took a liking to me because she saw there was something special in there somewhere and I believe she helped nurture my academic path from then on. At the end of the first school term, I took second position overall in the class with two girls taking the first and third positions. I was quite please. Also after the end of the second term, there was a tie for the second position between myself and the girl that took the third position the previous term. In the third and final term that mattered, I took the second position again but this time there was a swap between the first and third positions. The girl with whom I shared the second position was now first, while the one that occupied the first position in the first and second terms now moved to third place. My dream had just come alive. I didn't just take the prize for the second place, I also took home the best prize for General Knowledge in the whole school considering there were four other classes of sixth grade students .
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I was told by my teacher that I narrowly missed getting the best prize for Mathematics as well in the whole school but for one or two errors in my exams. And considering that at that level, prizes were only given for three subjects (English, Mathematics and General Knowledge). This time I waited for my prizes and I was proud to be called out, not once but twice to receive my prizes for that year. I was given two lovely books, King Solomon's Mines and Oliver Twist. I was truly inspired. I felt a bit sad though because that was my final year before moving on to secondary school.
Determination is a force and once it takes a firm root in the mind, nature will support by making available all the resources need to make it happen (Quote by me!).
That singular act the year before, created something in me that transformed my life forever. I went on to secondary school and throughout, I was consistently numbered among the best students in my school. Such is the power of determination
That is my story and hope it inspires someone.
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