Mental Math Competition on Academy Sunday
A man once said that there are three kinds of people: those who can count and those who cannot. He also said that four out of three people have trouble with fractions.
In order to counteract these humorous false notions, St. Thomas More Academy hosted a Mental Mathematics Competition for its students on Quinquagesima Sunday.
At 11 am the students filed into the classroom with eager and excited faces. Each grade prepared to compete in three different rounds. Two rounds consisted of written math skills and one round consisted of mental math.
The eighth-graders were the first to compete. Silence reigned in the room leaving some to wonder why they couldn’t be that silent in church. Brain waves could be felt as the eighth graders worked feverishly to complete their first two rounds which consisted of two minutes each. The seventh and sixth graders followed next and presented results that could have equally match the eighth graders.
Between rounds, the results were graded by vice-principal Justin Sauer who was helped by Mr. Maximilian Ranieri. Mr. John Cassman posted the scores on the whiteboard for all to see the results. The school principal, Fr. Duverger, presided over the contest, handing out the challenges and encouraging the students in their efforts.
The rounds continued with the Kindergarten children helped by their teacher Mrs. Julie Lopresti. Grades first through fifth each competed in their turns. After the first two rounds of scores were calculated, all of the grades proceeded to the mental math contest. Each grade was dictated a problem. The first student to write down the answer on paper and hold up at the sound of the bell would take first place.
Rita took the first place for eighth grade. Brendan placed first for the seventh and sixth-grade group. Charles won for fifth grade. Wendy led the way for fourth grade. Linus smiled his way to victory for third grade. Jose won hands down for second grade as he was the only one in his class to compete. Liam proved that he was first of the first graders for his class. Moira easily solved her 1+1+5 = 7 to take first place for Kindergarten.
Each of the winners received a prize appropriate to their grade level. All of the other competitors left with smiles and determination to do better when the next competition rolls around.
All of the students and judges left that day happy that there were now only two kinds of people that can count, but perhaps still thinking that four out of three people have problems with fractions.
