In utter astonishment cum ecstasy, the 3-member NSMQ team of Goka Senior High and Technical School booked a slot in the national championship, the first in 30 years.

They narrowly secured the final spot to join Methodist SHTS-Berekum, Nafana SHS, Sunyani SHS, and Notre Dame Girls in representing the Bono region in the 2023 National Science and Maths Quiz.

They were written off by their friends but were resolved to prevail to end their school’s 30-year absence at the national championships.

“Our friends never believed us. They told us we were just coming to fail. But we had to press on,” one of the contestants said.

The team travelled all the way from Jaman North to Bono’s capital, Sunyani in a public transport as their school has no functional bus.

With fewer preparatory materials but two committed teachers to cheer the three students on, they beat their contenders by a slim margin.

“I was surprised when we won. I thought we were second rather. I just couldn’t believe it,” the female contestant on the team said.

They won with 22 points, one point ahead of their closest contender, Koase SHS, followed keenly by Dormaa SHS with 20 points, while Berekum Presby SHS managed only 14 points.

Displaying prowess and finesse, Notre Dame Girls’ SHS proved their dominance over their competitors, winning their contest by a 20-point margin.

The girls slugged it out with Sumaman SHS, Twene Amanfo SHS, and Diamono SHS for a place in the national championship.

They say they are in an unstoppable motion to win the trophy this year.

“Our molecules are moving fast. This year the other schools’ collusion won’t be effective. We are coming for the trophy,” one of the students said.

Meanwhile, Nafana SHS ended their 4-year drought of qualifying for the national stage after beating Berekum SHS in a tie-breaker.

Methodist SHS, Berekum however defied resource challenges to qualify to the national championship for the first time in 25 years.