Invitational attracts more than 2,000 competitors

Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Monday, November 08, 2010

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Athens-Chilesburg C took top honors in the intermediate division.

Athens-Chilesburg C took top honors in the intermediate division.

Athens-Chilesburg C took top honors in the intermediate division.1st place (intermediate): ACE CRosa Parks E was runner-up in the intermediate contest.2nd place (intermediate): Rosa Parks ELiberty E finished third in the intermediate competition.3rd place (intermediate): Liberty EMeadowthorpe B topped the primary division.1st place (primary): Meadowthorpe BJames Lane Allen A was runner-up in the primary contest.2nd place (primary): James Lane Allen AClays Mill D finished third in the primary competition.3rd place (primary): Clays Mill D

A record 2,162 elementary students took part in the districtwide Academic Challenge Invitational, held Nov. 6 at Bryan Station High School. Meadowthorpe B won the primary contest, and Athens-Chilesburg C took top honors in the intermediate division.

“This is all about academic competition and having fun. Everyone who participates is a winner,” said Arnold Gaither, chairman of series sponsor One Community, One Voice.

During the day-long, single-elimination tournament, students in grades 2-3 and grades 4-5 worked in small teams to answer questions in all subject areas. Groups of three teams squared off in classrooms around the school building, with each winner advancing to the next round.

Primary (grades 2-3) finals:
  • 1st place, with 15 of 20 possible points – Meadowthorpe B (Guillermo Hernandez, Parker Smith, Andrew Vogel, Eddy Wan and Lakyya Washington)
  • 2nd place, with 12 points – James Lane Allen A (Megan Anaskevich, Vivian D’Souza, Alex Natale and Landon Spencer)
  • 3rd place, with 8 points – Clays Mill D (Max Carlson, Samuel Hayek, Mikaela Scott, Ben Swisher and Austin Wu)
Intermediate (grades 4-5) finals:
  • 1st place, with 17 of 20 points – Athens-Chilesburg C (Chris Benton, Austin Booth, Rachel Burns, Zaria Fulz, Alexis Lutz and Gade Hillyard)
  • 2nd place, with 12 points – Rosa Parks E (Nandini Bandaru, Brett Folsom, Kelly Kral, Dharani Ramaiah and Megan Slusarewicz)
  • 3rd place, with 11 points – Liberty E (Subrat Acharya, Jadyn Langley, Dakota List, Mason Joseph and Kayla Smith)

Fayette County Public Schools hosts three tournaments a year, culminating in a competition for college scholarships. The next contests are Feb. 5 and March 12.

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.

All students are welcome to participate, and most schools field several teams. Contact a child’s teacher for details.

On the district level, e-mail Alice Nelson for more information.