Sixteen Clear Creek Middle School students matched the mathematical prowess of the top 80 percent of the country.
At last Monday’s board of education work session, CCMS teachers Darcie Pritchett and Allison Speece recognized students who achieved exemplary scores at MathCon, which is an organization that holds annual mathematics competitions for grades 5-12.
Last year, 17 CCMS students ranked in the top 80 percent, but this year its highest percentiles were achieved.
“To rank nationally is one thing, but to rank above 80 percent nationally is phenomenal,” said Pritchett, who is a math honors teacher along with Speece and Regina Hedden.
“Think about how many 13 and 14 year olds there are in the nation, and we have 16 above 80 percent.”
CCMS students who participated in MathCon’s online competition and ranked among the best in the country included Toryn Adams (91 percent), Zachery Ames (90), Magdalene Thompson (89), Carly Whittemore (88), Lian Hup (85), Kaden Lowman (85) and Mikaila Brewer (85).
Also, Ryker Hice (83), Alexander Morales (83, Lilyan Cook (83), Owen Freeman (82), Riley Underwood (81), Madison Patterson (81), Dawson Richard (81), Joshua Burrell (80) and Devin Watkins (80).
“In order to be successful in this competition — and this is the part they don’t even realize — to compete nationally is one thing, but to compete in a national competition and rank as high as these students have says so much about their critical thinking skills,” Pritchett said.
“They have to deconstruct these problems, pull from their knowledge base and pull in bits and pieces of everything they’ve learned to be able to answer the questions.”
The top MathCon participants from across the nation will be invited to the finals in Chicago. Pritchett believes that is an attainable goal in the future.
“In the past two years, competitors in the 98 percent bracket and higher were invited,” she said. “Based on the increases we have seen this year and the amazing talent we have, I am confident that we have students capable of qualifying. I would love to see a Gilmer student claim the $25,000 MathCon scholarship.”