Better Versus Best: Queen Elizabeth II Hall week, highlight and lessons

 

By Osuolale Oluwatomilayo 

Inherent to the human soul is the constant effort to attain something fairer, something clearer, a thing to surpass and satisfy the criteria of “better”; this is often sponsored by a mindset that never truly acknowledges the concept of 'best.' For as long as the world continues to grow, the idea of 'best' remains elusive, just a little beyond our fingertips, a slip out of our grasp. After all, perfection is a mirage, it sprouts but never truly materializes.

Year after year and session after session, Tanto hoped for when Brymo’s words would become a reality and things would be more extravagant rather than indistinct. As she walked through the gates of Queen Elizabeth II Hall, she couldn't help but feel a sense of déjà vu. Another Hall Week was about to start, another wind of indistinct parties and events. The same faint music, the dim lights from the previous years and the same cheers from knackered hall executives. She wondered, “Is this really the best we can do? Perhaps, we have lost touch with our inner spark and now, we do not know what it means to truly celebrate” 

But something looked different, a bit sharper and less darker . This year, there was a dramatic shine that definitely didn’t exist before. The sagacity got clearer as she walked to her room with expectations and hope, to see what hadn’t been seen, at least since she got admitted. And indeed, it was quite a notable week because the people cheered brighter, more than they did in previous years. The subtle yet glaring difference between 'best' and 'better' raises a question: is 'best' the peak of the epic or a systematic tracking, with 'better' serving as a yardstick for improvement? This is the story of the hall's journey, forged by trials, toil, and steady striving for the top.

This year's Hall Week, organized by the executives, was a top class in event planning and execution. The graphics, the publicity and planning; the entire event was a dream come true, especially for the Hall Chairperson, Agbonde Mojoyinoluwa who took to her WhatsApp status to thank and appreciate everyone who made the hall week events a reality. The week-long celebration had a range of activities, including the rally, literary and debating day, sports/yoga day, health day, cultural night, variety night, personality lecture, and the grand finale dinner themed "Ogaju," a make believe traditional wedding celebration.

Attendees and participants commended the event, with many expressing their admiration for the hall's executives and the entire Queen Elizabeth II Hall community. In the words of Bolu,

“ I didn't know Queen's Hall could deliver like this”

Likewise, Elizabeth said, 

"The highlight of the week had to be the dinner. Thank God it was last. Ogaju!" 

The trade fair which had a range of vendors and stalls in attendance was also commended for its affordability and variety. Despite a few shortcomings, the overall consensus from Queenites and non-queenites seem to be nothing but a job well done. The executives' hard work and dedication throughout the event and their effort to deliver a memorable experience for all attendees was unmatched. As one spectator, Jumoke, noted, 

"Every last effort is indeed commendable. It doesn't go by mere words if it is said that the next set of executives do have big boots to fill."

The Hall Week was attended by several notable personalities, including the Warden, Dr. Omokhabi, and the erstwhile Student Union President, Oloye Aweda Bolaji. The newly inaugurated set of executives, led by President Covenant Odedele and Vice President Olabisi Owadayo, also made an appearance, indicating new beginnings on the track of leadership.

As the school community continues to advance, events like the Queen Elizabeth II Hall Week stand as a reminder of the importance of celebration. As Esther rightly said, "History never forgets, and like words etched in stone, this is kept in record."  Queen Elizabeth II Hall community looks forward to many more opportunities to come together to celebrate and have fun.

The success of the Hall Week can be attributed to the efforts of the hall's executives, who worked diligently to ensure that every aspect of the event was carefully structured and executed. Their commitment mirrored the spirit of service from the start of the event to its very end. We recall that there was a minor disruption during the variety night but, this didn't stop the executives nor did it dampen the spirits of residents. Ogaju, the next event, was a loud comeback which redeemed the previous day's bungle.

In the end, Queen Elizabeth II Hall Week showed how powerful resilience and will is, they do not guarantee a best journey but, they assure a better end. And with dedication and hard work, anything is achievable. 

Again, 'Best’ is a social construct; almost unreal. In reality, 'better' is the tangible goal and the incremental improvement that exceeds the illusion of 'best'. This year's hall week events touched a dimension better than those touched in past years.