Math whiz kids from all over the county competed in the annual Mahoning County Math Challenge 24 competition Wednesday night at Youngstown Christian School. About 150 kids competed in the game, which challenges students take four numbers on a game card and make them equal 24.
Open to players in grades four through eight, students were challenged to make the playing cards equal 24 using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Older students played with cards using negative numbers, fractions and algebraic equations, making the game even tougher.
"These kids always amaze me by how quickly they can do mental math. They practice so hard for this tournament every year," said Amy Leigh Wilson, coordinator of the event. "The teachers and parents who work with them deserve credit too. This year, the original tournament was snowed out, but they all just used the opportunity to get in a few more weeks of practice. My hat's off to all of them for a great job."
Winners in each division include:
FIRST PLACE
Grade 7 & 8: Anthony Douglas, Rayen Early College, Youngstown
Grade: 6: Andrew Hubert, St. Charles School, Boardman
Grade 5: Marik Rogenski, McKinley Elementary, Poland
Grade 4: Alex Stoneman, St. Charles School, Boardman
SECOND PLACE
Grade 7 & 8: Trey Ingram, Rayen Early College, Youngstown
Grade 6: Mark Ricciardi, St. Charles School, Boardman
Grade 5: Kevin Rabindra, McKinley Elementary, Poland
Grade 4: Noah Robinson, Stadium Drive Elementary, Boardman
THIRD PLACE
Grade 7 & 8: LaRazia Tolbert, Volney Rogers Jr. High, Youngstown
Grade 6: Sebastian Heinonen, Center Middle School, Boardman
Grade 5: Jimmy Lagese, Glenwood Middle School, Boardman
Grade 4: Shawn Korpi, Stadium Drive Elementary, Boardman
FOURTH PLACE
Grade 7 & 8: Damon McDowell, Rayen Early College, Youngstown
Grade 6: Zachary Jacobson, McKinley Elementary, Poland
Grade 5: Mia Lewis, St. Charles School, Boardman
Grade 4: Willy Horn, Kirkmere Elementary, Youngstown
To learn more about the 24 game, visit www.24game.com.
