Ashland, Meadowthorpe tops in Invitational
Contact: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Saturday, November 14, 2009
Teams from Ashland and Meadowthorpe elementaries took top honors as more than 1,600 students turned out Saturday for the Academic Challenge Invitational, the first of a three-part competitive series that promotes scholastic excellence and good sportsmanship.
“Every participant worked hard and studied hard on a weekly basis, and that counts for something,” said Arnold Gaither, chairman of One Community, One Voice.
In this format, students compete in a day-long, single-elimination tournament. They square off in groups of three teams to answer 20 questions, with the winner advancing. Results from the final rounds:
Primary (grades 1-3):
- 1st place, with 16 of 20 possible points – Ashland team A: Iris Brown, Kelly Martinez, Patricia Martinez, Alex Meadors, Julia Meadors and Megan Meadors.
- 2nd place – Ashland team B: Katrina Baniak, Dallas Care, Isaiah Mitchell, Ashvin Sial and Hannah Shapiro.
- 3rd place – Southern team B: Josylyn Morgan, Madison Morgan, Elizabeth Piper, Rachel Powers and Landon Pugh.
After both finished with 14 points, Ashland B nipped Southern B 4-3 in a tiebreaker.
Intermediate: (grades 4-5):
- 1st place, with 18 of 20 points – Meadowthorpe team E: Gus Carlson, Zsombor Gal and Christian Lauritzen.
- 2nd place, with 16 points – Rosa Parks team C: Madi Halwes, Ronit Kar, Murphy Powell, Kaitlin Rucker, Adam Schoedinger and Mannu Singhal.
- 3rd place, with 10 points – Dixie team F: John Felty, Elijah Ingram, Mishaela Robison, Halleigh Shackelford and Allison Shell.
“It’s really all about the parents and how they’re engaged with their children. That sends a strong message about what we value, and that is education,” Gaither told the crowd gathered for the finals in the Tates Creek High School auditorium.
Since 2004, One Community, One Voice initiatives have focused on getting parents more involved in their children’s education. The centerpiece has been the Academic Challenge, which aims to foster a culture that encourages all children to embrace education as a worthy endeavor, allows all students a chance to compete in rigorous academic contests, and prepares kids to compete for the “big prize” – a good life and a bright future.
The annual series – which is co-sponsored by Fayette County Public Schools – also includes the Principal’s Cup on Jan. 30 and the Superintendent’s Cup on March 13.
All students are welcome to get involved; check with the school principals for details. On the district level, contact Alice Nelson at (859) 381-4307 for more information.