Highlight of My Year…So Far
Yesterday, something extra-ordinary happened. I attended a social event. LOL. It’s not extra-ordinary, but odd to me because social events are not things I fancy.
I received a very emotionally troubling but exciting phone call from my mum the day before telling me that Achimota School wanted to honour me with a prize. Man was I surprised! Me? Hakeem? Prize? For what? She didn’t say. I knew I had worked hard in school but a prize? Wow this was getting exciting.
I was naturally hesitant to attend primarily because the experience was new to me, I wasn’t a mediocre student nor was I failing. I maintained a high standard back in high school and I still do (too bad WAEC don’t agree). I excelled but never to the extent of being recognized and rewarded. After hours of persuasion by my family I finally decided to attend. After all what go possibly go wrong? I would just pick up my award, smile and wave, shake a few hands then its back to my boring old life.
It was the first time I was entering Achimota since I completed in May. The atmosphere was never foreign but the feel was different. Somewhat nostalgic and reminiscent. My family and I took our seats and waited patiently. After a few boring and some entertaining speeches, the prize winners began to file to the podium like worker ants. Time passed. I was beginning to doubt if my name would be mentioned. I was scared I must confess. Then I heard “… Dr. Akosua Perbi prize for the final year OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN HISTYORY – HAKEEM ADAM. I was shocked out of reality, in a trance…. No! I picked myself up and walk to the podium, smiled (small) accepted it, said thank you proudly and it was all over.
Initially I didn’t care about the prize. After all what? I was just a book. Then it struck me, hard! All the days and nights learning, all the time and resources invested, all the sacrifices made had been appreciated. It was a really humbling experience. Truly so. It also made me realize that the only sure way to success, not fake success but responsible, respectable proud success is hard work.
If this feels like I’m rubbing it in your face, the…well…all I can say is…..YEAH!!! This is the first of many, allow me to brag. Don’t be bitter about it. Just remember that it never came easy. AT ALL. Don’t be fooled, hard work pays. Thank you
Now to my acceptance speech which I never had the opportunity to read:
· First I’d like to thank Allah (not because everybody thanks him but because truly without him this wouldn’t have been impossible.
· I’ll like to thank my family, there contribution to this is un- mentionable. I really appreciate it.
· I’ll like to thank my friends, my classmates y’all helped.
I’ll like to thank Dr. Akosua Perbi for the prize. I really appreciate it.
The highlight of my year……so far!!!
Hakeem Adam
Tuff assassin
The Lost Scrolls 