Woodhull Math Olympians Enjoy Banner Year
It was a banner year for the Woodhull Intermediate School Math Olympiad team, which featured some very bright student members. They participated in a series of five monthly contests of five challenging problems each, from November through March and engaged in weekly practice sessions.
The Woodhull youngsters are among nearly 150,000 students across the globe to participate in this year's Math Olympiad program. SEARCH program chairperson-teacher Maryann Daly supervises and coaches the Woodhull team. The veteran educator taught her students how to solve unusual and difficult problems and think creatively Team members responded well and each of them was recognized with certificates for their respective participation.
Woodhull sixth graders qualifying for the coveted Math Olympiad silver pin included Anthony Puglisi, Peter Ciccone, Alexandra Cartwright and Aidan Forbes. Fifth grader Haley Mortell also captured a silver pin. The award is presented to students scoring in the 90-97th percentiles during the monthly contests.
Each year Math Olympiad serves over 100,000 United States students on nearly 5,000 teams from all 50 states and about 50,000 students on 2,000 teams in more than 30 other countries, according to the organization. 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.
"Our children have responded to the challenge with eagerness and enthusiasm," Mrs. Daly said. Most of these Math Olympiad participants across the world that are pitting their wits against some very tricky problems rank among the best mathematics students in their schools."
Math Olympians earn individual awards according to a stringent rubric. Those notching a perfect score on the 25 problems during the season receive a medallion. The top two percent of scorers receive a gold pin. The top eight percent qualify for a silver pin. Those in the top 50 percent are given embroidered felt patches.