For many Jamaicans, Tuesday, April 1, would have normally been April Fools Day, but this year the day held even greater significance. The evening saw the curtains closing on another season of one of local television’s most viewed programmes; TVJ’s School’s Challenge Quiz featuring 10-time champions Kingston College and first-time finalists Campion College. This year was the 45th anniversary of the extremely entertaining and educational competition.

Sixty-four schools across the island entered the challenge to determine who really possessed the knowledge, skill and temperament to emerge the final victors. ‘Campion is the Champion’ and the ‘Fortis’ fever was extremely high, both inside and outside the studios of TVJ. The two finalists surely had the support of their schoolmates, avid fans and the public at large. Banners and colours represented well for both teams before and during the highly anticipated match that would provide closure and answers to the ‘who will win it?’ question that resonated within everyone that evening.

Features done on both schools in the finals were aired alongside special highlights over the years prior to the match, resulting in an increase in anticipation as the countdown for the big moment took place.

When the match began, it was Campion who looked the more assured of the two teams, and ended the first two rounds with the lead. However, queries were done during intermission after which the corrections were made, resulting in KC and Campion going into the buzzer section with 21 points each. The four minutes took the viewing public (and possibly the participants as well) on a roller coaster ride, causing a number of people to sit on the very edge of their seats, wondering if Campion would create a major upset or if KC would reign supreme in the end.

The final 20 seconds proved that it indeed took “80 per cent strategy and 20 percent knowledge to win the match'” as said by Michael Gonzales. Kingston College, 10-time winners and 10-time runners-up correctly answered the last two questions within the allotted time, settling the final scores at 27-25 for their 11th hold on the title. Despite the loss, there were many who praised Campion College for delivering one of the most exciting SCQ finals of this millennium.

Other schools were winners in their own right; Camperdown High received the title of ‘Most Improved School,’ and Immaculate Conception High School for the most outstanding Girl’s School this year. Ardenne High and Titchfield received honourary mentions as well.

KC and Campion shared the trophy for receiving the highest overall totalled scores for the competition. The presentation of gifts in cash and prizes to team members and coaches, verified to them and the nation that hard work truly pays. They both walked away with over $100,000 in cash and prizes.