First- through fifth-graders will compete for college scholarships Saturday May 10 in the annual Academic Challenge Superintendent’s Cup.

    The number of participants has nearly tripled since last year, from 487 to 1,325 students. Teams are formed in schools or at neighborhood sites; any FCPS elementary student may participate on either a Primary team (grades l, 2 and 3) or an Intermediate team (grades 4 and 5).

    In competition, 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 includes 20 questions. The winning team advances to the next round, and the top teams meet in the finals.

    The Superintendent’s Cup, sponsored by One Community, One Voice and Fayette County Public Schools, is Saturday at Tates Creek High School, at 1111 Centre Parkway. The Primary competition starts at 8 a.m., with the finals tentatively set for noon; and the Intermediate contests begin at 10 a.m., with the finals expected to start around 2:30 p.m.

    After the finals, District Superintendent Stu Silberman; One Community, One Voice Chairman Arnold Gaither; Board of Education members and representatives from the community will give out first-place trophies and the Superintendent’s Cup.

    Seven colleges and universities have partnered with the organizers to provide 36 scholarships for the winners. Representatives from the University of Kentucky, Kentucky State, Eastern Kentucky University, Morehead State, Georgetown College, Murray State and Bluegrass Community and Technical College will be on hand to present their awards.

    Second- and third-place teams will receive medals, and fourth-round participants will get recognition ribbons. All the participants will receive an academic excellence award. 

    The goal of the Academic Challenge program is to create a culture that encourages all children to embrace knowledge as a worthy endeavor, gives students opportunities to compete in rigorous academic contests, involves parents in the education of their children and prepares students to compete for the “big prize” – a good life and a good future. The Superintendent’s Cup was preceded by the Principal’s Cup in March and the Academic Challenge Invitational in February.

    For more information, contact Karolyn Kell of One Community, One Voice at (859) 272-1184 or Alice Nelson of FCPS at (859) 381-4307.