Twenty-nine students from Mid-Prairie Middle School were among the approximately 100,000 students worldwide to participate this year in the Math Olympiad Program. They participated in a series of five monthly contests of five problems each, from November to March and weekly practice sessions under the supervision and coaching of Rebecca Rensema. Students worked on different strategies for solving unusual and difficult problems and developed their creative problem solving skills.
On May 24th, students were recognized during an Awards Ceremony with certificates for their participation. In the Elementary Division, fifth grade participants included Sutton Bailey, Tyson Huber, Madi Liska, Ruby Newton, Jude Ours, Parker Thomas, Gwen Wunderlich, and 6th grade participants included Maelys Beachy, Lily Flynn, Max Kipp, Tristan Koller, Ava Miller, Sophia Puttmann, Eli Ray, Jack Sorrell, Samantha Wunderlich, and Marie Yoder. In the Middle Division, 7th grade participants included Griffin Caskey, Landon Humble, Rowan Miller, Owen Zirkelbach, and 8th grade participants included Anna Flynn, Jacob Flynn, Thomas Flynn, Brylee Gearhart, Callie Huber, Andrew Kaufman, Hannah Jamieson, and Charlotte Sieren. Some of the Mid-Prairie mathletes then earned individual awards.
The embroidered felt patch was awarded to those in the top 50% of all the participants, including the following students. In the elementary division, embroidered patch recipients included Sutton Bailey, Tyson Huber, Ruby Newton, Jude Ours, Parker Thomas, Maelys Beachy, Lily Flynn, Max Kipp, Ava Miller, Sophia Puttmann, Jack Sorrell, Samantha Wunderlich, and Marie Yoder. Middle Division recipients included Griffin Caskey, Landon Humble, Rowan Miller, Andrew Kaufman, and Jacob Flynn.
The silver pin was awarded to those finishing the year in the top 10 percent of all participants including Ava Miller in the Elementary Division and Landon Humble and Jacob Flynn in the Middle Division.
The highest and second highest scorer on each Mid-Prairie Division team were awarded trophies. The honorable mention trophies were awarded to Tyson Huber (score of 15) for the Elementary Division and Rowan Miller (score of 16) for the Middle Division. The highest individual scorer trophies were awarded to Ava Miller (score of 19) and Landon Humble and Jacob Flynn (both scoring 21 points).
This year the Math Olympiads served over 100,000 students on approximately 2800 teams nationally and about 50,000 students on 1000 teams in more than 30 other countries. Since 1979, it has provided challenging thought-provoking problems that stretch the abilities of students in grades 4-8, strengthening their foundation for both assessment tests and more advanced studies. Math Olympiads students responded to the challenge with eagerness and enthusiasm.
Eleven Middle School students were also recognized during the Awards Ceremony for their participation in the 2020-2021 Mathlegue.org competitions. 5th graders Madi Liska, Gwen Wunderlich, and 6th graders Maelys Beachy, Ava Miller, Jack Sorrell, and Ava Miller participated in the 4-hour Elementary Division qualifying round. 7th graders Griffin Caskey, Landon Humble, Lincoln Miller, Rowan, Miller and 8th grader Jacob Flynn competed in the Middle Division qualifying round. Rowan Miller, Madi Liska, Gwen Wunderlich, Maelys Beachy, and Ava Miller competed in the State competition. Madi Liska and Gwen Wunderlich qualified for and will be competing in the National championship on Saturday, June 19.
We are so proud of the way students stepped up to these math challenges in the 2020-2021 school year.
Above: Mathleague Participants
Above: Math Olympiads Elementary Division Participants
Above: Math Olympiad Middle Division Participants
Above: Elementary Patch Recipients
Above: Middle Embroidered Patch Recipients
Above: Elementary & Middle Silver Pin, Honorable Mention, and Highest Individual Scorer Recipients