Every year, the National BioOlympics rolls around, and it''s a big deal on campus. It''s like the Olympics, but for biology nerds. Three years ago, it got added to the Aegis Higher Education Alliance''s list, which is basically the Ivy League of academicpetitions. It''s now officially recognized by the Department of Education, making it the most prestigious nationalpetition for undergrad biology students.


    Thepetition is split into two main categories: scientific inquiry and innovation/entrepreneurship. It''s designed to test students'' creativity and research


    skills.


    Of course, Roseanne is definitely in. The minute the news dropped, Mamie and Scales were practically jumping out of their seats. After all, the bonus points they could earn for their end-of-term grades were pretty tempting.


    Not everyone can ace their courses like Roseanne, who managed to score perfect marks in five out of eight sses and no less than 95 in the others. Mamie scored an 85 in her finals, but thanks to some academic contributions and a published paper, she boosted her GPA to a perfect 4.0, tranting to an average of 90. Scales ended up with a 4.2 GPA, averaging out to a 92. They both loved the taste of those extra points and weren''t about to pass up this opportunity.


    As for Roseanne, well, she''s in it for the challenge. The extra points? Just a bonus.


    Mamie just sighed, "Well, that''s a bit discouraging."


    Scales grinned sheepishly, "Guess I''m just shallow."


    They were all eager to dive in, and Edna''s team was buzzing with excitement too. Hertha''s eyes were practically sparkling, while Sybil was relieved. She hadn''t published any papers yet, but winning a nationalpetition could certainly reinforce her reputation as a genius.


    After the weekly meeting ended, everyone scattered, chatting in small groups about the uingpetition. The next day, Sue, Joe, and Lin officially submitted their entry forms. While registering, Roseanne happened to catch a glimpse of Edna''s team list. She was surprised to see Carlson''s name there, though Sybil was listed as the project leader, and Carlson was just a team member.


    It made sense, though. Carlson was in his third year of grad school and didn''t need to participate in thesepetitions. He was probably just acting as an advisor. Still, letting Sybil lead?


    Roseanne clicked her tongue.


    Mamie noticed and turned to her, "What''s up, Roseanne?"


    "Nothing, just a bit reflective."


    "Reflective about what?"


    "Sometimes hard work doesn''t pay off the way you expect. You might just end up setting the stage for someone else."


    If Carlson didn''t want to step up, no one could really help him.


    ...


    In the administration building, Hertha stormed into Edna''s office, the door crashing


    against the wall with a loud bang.


    "Do you really think I won''t report you, Edna?!"


    Edna wasn''t one to back down


    either.


    Ever since she figured


    Hertha''s bluff, she knew


    all bark and no bite. Cone outer


    was


    belongs


    "What are you doing barging in here? You think you can juste in and throw a


    tantrum?"


    Hertha


    her chin


    her arms and lifted


    metly. "Why did you


    make Sybil the project


    makes her qualified et


    Edna smirked, swatting Hertha''s pointing finger away. "And who else should I


    pick? You? Don''t make meugh."


    "You"


    "Have you published any papers? Produced any noteworthy work?


    people to actually respe neemt o be a leader, you need t


    you."