On Thursday, March 23, 2023, 31 teams of fourth and fifth-grade students from 17 elementary schools participated in the annual Elementary Mathematics Challenge Competition, co-sponsored by Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO). The competition was held remotely from school sites due to COVID-19 safety concerns.

The event, which was attended by a total of 214 mathletes, consisted of two challenges. During the individual challenge, each team member took a test consisting of multiple-choice questions. The team challenge required team members to collaborate to answer five multiple-step mathematics problems.

Grade 5 First Place Individual – Alex Vo – Hollywood Elementary Credit: St. Mary's County Public Schools
Grade 4 First Place Individual – Gabriel Meyer – Evergreen Elementary Credit: St. Mary's County Public Schools
Grade 5 First Place Team – Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary School Team members are listed from left to right. Front Row: Elliot Orthner, Alaina Balcom. Middle Row: Seamus Troutman, Malcolm Ahern. Back Row: Nolan Lavender, Jack Merriman, and Andrew Hair. Credit: St. Mary's County Public Schools
Grade 4 First Place Team – Evergreen Elementary School Team members are listed from left to right. Front Row: Gabe Meyer, Sylas Carpenter, and Terrence Thurmon Jr. Back Row: Mrs. Cathy Novak, Harshal Shah, Dylan Owen, Ella Whitmer, and Jacob Hubscher. Credit: St. Mary's County Public Schools

The top five finishers on the individual tests from each school had their scores averaged to make the individual school total. This total was combined with the team score to make the final school team score.

The competition was a success, with the students demonstrating impressive problem-solving skills.

The students who participated in the competition gained valuable experience in problem-solving and teamwork.

The annual Elementary Mathematics Challenge Competition is a valuable opportunity for young students to hone their math skills and gain valuable experience in teamwork and problem-solving. With the continued support of sponsors like SMECO, the competition will continue to inspire and challenge young mathletes for years to come.

Below are the school team results for the first five places in each grade level:

PlaceGrade 4PlaceGrade 5
1stEvergreen Elementary School1st C.W.F. Duke Elementary School
2ndLeonardtown Elementary School2ndEvergreen Elementary School
3rdBenjamin Banneker Elementary School3rdHollywood Elementary School
4thC.W.F. Duke Elementary School4thDynard Elementary School
5thPiney Point Elementary School5thLeonardtown Elementary School 

Below are school individual results for the first five places in each grade level:

PlaceGrade 4
1stGabriel Meyer    Evergreen Elementary School
2ndAlexander Guzman    Piney Point Elementary School
3rdIvan Huang    C.W.F. Duke Elementary School
 Place     Grade 5
1st    Alex Vo    Hollywood Elementary School
2nd    Joseph Ross    Evergreen Elementary School
3rd    Elliot Orthner (tie)    C.W.F. Duke Elementary School
3rd    Seamus Troutman (tie)    C.W.F. Duke Elementary School

David M. Higgins II, Publisher/EditorEditor-in-Chief

David M. Higgins II is an award-winning journalist passionate about uncovering the truth and telling compelling stories. Born in Baltimore and raised in Southern Maryland, he has lived in several East...

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