THE PHOENIX AWARDS: BRAINS, BARS, AND BRILLIANCE UNDER THE SUN

Greetings and apologies from the Editorial Board, We know you've been waiting to hear from us. So, shall we..?

Wednesday, 15th April, 2025.

2:00pm. The sun was blazing, and the classroom was set — but let’s not pretend it was anything spectacular. No fancy stage, no mics, no buzzers — just raw intellect and voices. The Phoenix Awards, hosted by the AVMS Editorial Board, kicked off with the Inter-Class Quiz Competition.

And... well... where were the students? Seriously. For an event offering that tag price? You’d think it would be a full house. But nah, just a few scattered bodies, as usual. And you know what? The turnout for academic events is just like that for sporting ones. It’s disappointing, predictable, and downright embarrassing. It's now certain that if food isn't promised at the event, nobody's turning up. You’d think the promise of brains over snacks might at least pull people in. Nope.

Don’t get me wrong, those who came? They made it count. But the absence of the rest of the student body? Mediocre. And don’t even try to tell me that folks were at home studying for this quiz. Nah. We all know what was happening instead.

But let’s forget about the crowd for a second. The quiz? Fire.

This wasn’t your average academic drill with anatomy and pathology questions. No, this quiz was about real life: general knowledge, sports, music, pop culture, politics — the stuff that matters when you leave campus. And boy, there was some drama. Someone couldn’t name Michael Jackson as the King of Pop. You heard that right. Then we had another contestant stalling on Sarz on the Beat. And the best part? Titanic? They forgot Leonardo DiCaprio. I can’t make this stuff up.

But in the end, one class rose above the rest — 200 Level. Fast answers. No hesitation. They bagged that prize and made it clear that they weren't there to play. If you weren’t there, though, better luck next time.

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ESSAY COMPETITION: A QUIET FLAME THAT BURNED DEEP

While the quiz set the room buzzing with excitement, the Essay Competition quietly burned deep — a true reflection of the grit it takes to navigate university life in the face of a tightening economy. The submissions came in like whispers to the Editorial Board’s inbox, each one a raw snapshot of students trying to make sense of an increasingly difficult reality.

The topic? “Cost of Living on Campus: The Coping Strategies of Students in the Face of Economic Hardship.”

And if you think this was just another dry academic theme, think again. These essays didn’t just scratch the surface — they dug into the very soul of student life. They reflected the untold struggles, the daily hustle, and the quiet sacrifices students make to survive in an environment where the cost of living constantly pushes against the limits of what’s possible. You could almost feel the weight of each sentence, the tension in every word. These weren’t just words on a page; they were the silent cries of students facing a storm, yet still standing tall.

Some essays spoke about making the impossible work — stretching budgets, juggling jobs, sacrificing meals, and still showing up to class like nothing was wrong. Others dug deeper into the mental toll that financial strain takes on students. The loneliness of living broke. The exhaustion of juggling multiple jobs just to make ends meet. The psychological battle of keeping up appearances when everything around you is falling apart.

In the midst of all this, three essays stood out — raw, real, and relentless in their truths.

And the first-place essay? That’s not just going to stay buried in some inbox. It’s coming to Faaji'25 and the AVMS Editorial Blog. When it drops, get ready for something that will hit close to home. That piece will give a voice to every student who's struggled in silence — every student who’s had to fight alone, feeling like they're running out of options but still pushing through.

PHOENIX RAISED THE BAR. NOW, WHO’S COMING FOR IT?

The Phoenix Awards may not have pulled the crowd, but it proved one thing: those who showed up, showed out. And the Phoenix Team? They’ve set the tone — raising the bar for what’s to come.

It’s not about the numbers. It’s about the moments, the energy, and the reminder that the AVMS community has thinkers, talkers, and writers who don’t need a packed hall to make their voices heard. They’ll find a way to be noticed, no matter the turnout.

And the message is clear: The Phoenix is rising. Now, who’s coming for the heat?

Sincerely,
The Phoenix Team.