The Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Elementary School Mathematics Challenge was held March 16 at Theodore G. Davis Middle School. SMECO sponsors the challenge to boost interest in mathematics among young students by making the subject fun and engaging. Math is the foundation for success in science, technology and engineering, and each year, competitions are held in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties.

Math team participants are selected from fourth and fifth grades based on students’ interest in the subject. Students practice during the school year with their coaches and teammates working on above-grade level material another with other skills such as collaboration, active listening and perseverance.

During Saturday’s math challenge, students took a timed individual test prior to the event. During the competition, each school’s team solved four problems that were evaluated for accuracy, reasoning and application of strategies. Each team's scores were the result of both the individual scores and the teams challenge scores.  

Fourth-grade individual top scorers

• First place — Michael Clinch, Dr. James Craik Elementary School. 
• Second place — Alelia Pillera, Berry Elementary School 
• Third place — Jack Michael, Mary H. Matula Elementary School. 

Fifth-grade individual top scorers 

• First place — Jason Chen, Berry.
• Second place — Eliakim Louis Quirante, Berry.
• Third place — Kassidy Kristafey Villanueva, William A. Diggs Elementary School.

Fourth-grade team winners 

• First place — Craik. 
• Second place — Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School. 
• Third place — Malcolm Elementary School. 
• Fourth place — Billingsley Elementary School. 
• Fifth place — T.C. Martin Elementary School.

Fifth-grade team winners 

• First place — Martin.
• Second place — Arthur Middleton Elementary School. 
• Third place — Berry. 
• Fourth place — Matula. 
• Fifth place — Mary B. Neal Elementary School. 

About CCPS

Charles County Public Schools provides 27,765 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 38 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.

CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).