Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Saturday, November 14, 2009

For kids participating in the Academic Challenge Invitational, the competition is both a test of knowledge and a test of nerves.

 

The day-long, single-elimination tournament requires not only preparation in the classroom and practice after school, but also physical stamina and a determination to be the last ones standing among more than 1,600 peers.

 

In Saturday’s event, teams from Ashland and Meadowthorpe elementaries took top honors.

• Results (1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place winners)

Primary division: A double and triple take 

Huddled near the stage, Team A from Ashland was jubilant after the contest.

 

“I like taking on challenges. It’s not about winning. It’s just fun!” said Iris Brown, who also confided, “We thought we were going to lose in the fourth round, but we believed in each other and we got it!”

 

This team definitely had strong bonds – mainly because the group included triplets and two out of three siblings from another set of triplets!

 

The Meadors children said they knew most of their final-round opponents on Team B from Southern Elementary, where they attended last year. “We already beat a girl who’s in our Girl Scout (troop),” Julia Meadors added.

 

Kelly Martinez, who competed alongside sister Patricia, said it was tough at the end facing Team B from Ashland, their own school. “I was so nervous because I was going against my best friend,” she said.

 

This was the first year in the Academic Challenge for the Martinez girls. “We thought it’d be fun, and we didn’t care if we lost,” Patricia said.

 

Kelly was also practical about the questions her team missed, following her teacher’s advice: “Don’t get upset. You always learn from your mistakes.”

 

Ashland Team A also included Alex and Megan Meadors.

 

Intermediate division: Three’s company 

 

The table seemed a little empty as Meadowthorpe’s Team E settled in with just three students. The trio later admitted they were a little worried about the competition all day long.

 

“I thought we’d lose against really good schools that had five or six players,” said Zsombor Gal.

But the boys stuck together and won close contests throughout the tournament, including a two-point decision in the finals.

 

“We stayed focused on the questions and didn’t worry about the score,” said Christian Lauritzen, who said they tried to ignore the tally marks during each match.

 

Gus Carlson quickly pinned his award to his T-shirt after the brief closing ceremony.

 

“I like wearing a blue ribbon because it makes me feel proud,” he said.

 

Background and history 

 

The Academic Challenge program, organized jointly by One Community, One Voice and the Fayette County Public Schools since 2004, is available to all students in grades 1-5. The goal is to create a culture that encourages children to embrace scholastic excellence, gives students opportunities to compete in rigorous academic contests, and involves parents in their kids’ education.

 

The annual series includes three Saturday competitions held at Tates Creek High School. In addition to the Nov. 14 contest, there will be a Principal’s Cup on Jan. 30 and the Superintendent’s Cup on March 13.

 

The program has two divisions: primary (grades 1-3) and intermediate (grades 4-5). Most schools field several teams, each with four to six students. In competition, three teams square off at a time. A moderator reads a question, and the children have 45 seconds to confer and write their team’s answer on a white board. Each round has 20 questions, and the winning team advances to the next round.

 

All students are welcome to get involved; check with school principals for details. On the district level, contact Alice Nelson at (859) 381-4307 for more information.