Three Newton County School System middle schools earned bragging rights at the recent Griffin RESA Regional Middle School Math Contest. Newton County Theme School’s (NCTS) math team took home top honors in the Division I (smaller schools) and Veterans Memorial Middle School’s math team earned the third place award in the same division competition. Cousins Middle School’s math team also brought home a third place award in the Division II (medium schools) competition. The math teams and students competed against other middle school teams from Butts, Fayette, Henry, Lamar, Pike, Spalding, and Upson counties.
The math contest includes a one hour written test followed by a group-ciphering event. According to Dr. Stephanie Gordy, Executive Director for Griffin RESA, awards for the top three teams in each division are based on a total team score comprised of the top four highest scores on the written test and the team score on the ciphering event. Competitive divisions are determined by school enrollment.
The Newton County Theme School team was comprised of students Eathen Paten, Hartlee Allen, Malachi Scharf, Abby Malcom, and Brandon Simmons. The team was coached by Mrs. Mindy Alexander. Veterans Memorial Middle School’s math team, coached by Mr. Tyrell Johnson, included students Shanay Lindsay, Kevin Mills, Alonzo Shipley, and Isaiah Igwilo. The Cousins Middle School team, coached by Mrs. Emily Lumpkin, was comprised of students Austin Ballington, Alexis Jackson, Samantha Johnson, Amtony Monterrosas-Silva, and TaLasia Snowden.
“I am very proud of these students,” said Dr. Nikkita Warfield, Director of Secondary Education for Newton County School System. “To have three teams bring home awards from the regional competition is extraordinary. We truly have some spectacular mathematicians in our middle schools!”