Two schools, two stories- one seasoned by struggle, the other sparked by fresh ambition. Yet both find themselves standing at the same point in this year’s National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ), quarterfinals, for the first time in their history.

For Amaniampong Senior High School and Our Lady of Grace SHS (OLAG), the road to this stage could not have been more different. One is a school barely two years into the competition’s journey; the other, a long-time contender finally reaping the rewards of perseverance.

For OLAG, their rise has been nothing short of phenomenal. They joined the NSMQ just last year, and in only their second attempt, they’ve booked a place among the nation’s top contenders.

“I feel very grateful that we’ve come this far in a very short time. We worked very hard for this,” one contestant shared, beaming with pride. Their coordinator, Eben, added, “It’s teamwork. We take guidance from those who’ve done it before and have experience.”

At Amaniampong SHS, the mood is equally electric — but the emotions run deeper. Their story is one of years spent fighting through heartbreak and near-misses. After nine long years of trying, they’ve finally broken through.

“When I came to this school, I knew it wasn’t known for NSMQ,” one contestant reflected. “But I joined the quiz team to give it my best, and by the grace of God, we’ve come far.”
Another teammate chimed in, “Those who come after us will have to work even harder because it’ll be shameful if they lose the seed next year.”

Their coordinator described this milestone as a long-awaited validation: “For nine years we’ve struggled. But after changing our strategy, we began making appearances at the national stage — and now, for the first time, we’ve been seeded.”

Whether it’s the new kid on the block or the seasoned fighter finally breaking through, both Amaniampong SHS and Our Lady of Grace SHS are proof that with focus, teamwork, and faith, no dream is too far.

Together, their journeys remind us that while the paths to success may differ, the joy of arriving there feels exactly the same.