Challenge participants from Hereford Middle School

Young mathematicians from all over Baltimore County matched their math wits during the fast-paced M&T Bank 24 Challenge® Math Tournament on March 4 at the Holiday Inn Select in Timonium. Students competed for trophies, $1,000 U.S. Savings Bonds and the coveted title of Grand Champion in four divisions of play.

The day was especially rewarding for students participating from Hereford Middle School. Hereford Middle students took first place in all three middle school competitions.

One Hereford student, Jake Q. became the first three-time winner in the history of the Baltimore County competition. Jake won the Single Digit 24 game as a fifth grader from Prettyboy Elementary School, the Fraction 24 as a seventh grader, and the Integer 24 as an eighth grader.

In addition to Jake, other students participating from Hereford Middle included Maia M., Taryn Q., Casey K., Michael W., Zach H., Olivia K., Ben M., and Todd J.

The centerpiece of the tournament is a fast-paced math game called 24®. Developed by Suntex International, Inc., the flashcard-style math game is designed to improve skills in mental computation, pattern recognition and deductive reasoning. Each card presents four numbers that can be combined to total 24. The challenge is to determine what combination of addition, subtraction, multiplication and/or division of whole numbers, fractions, or integers will yield that solution.

The 2006 champions are:

Elementary School Standard Competition:
1st Place: Jonathan L. – Prettyboy Elementary
2nd Place: Luke C. – Halethorpe Elementary
3rd Place: Patricia B. – Pot Spring Elementary
4th Place: Lisa Ann T. – Lutherville Laboratory

Middle School Standard Competition:
1st Place: Maia M. – Hereford Middle
2nd Place: Annamarie S. – Cromwell Valley Elementary
3rd Place: Jenny B. – Cockeysville Middle
4th Place: Jasmine R. – Sudbrook Magnet Middle

Middle School Fractions Competition:
1st Place: Taryn Q. – Hereford Middle
2nd Place: Casey K. – Hereford Middle
3rd Place: Shweta S. – Cockeysville Middle
4th Place: Lizzie D. – Ridgely Middle

Middle School Integers Competition:
1st Place: Jake Q. – Hereford Middle
2nd Place: Shanaz H. – Ridgely Middle
3rd Place: Andrew H. – Parkville Middle
4th Place: Donte K. – Stemmers Run Middle

Patricia Baltzley, director of mathematics for Baltimore County Public Schools is pleased that there continues to be a high level of interest and participation among students and schools in the 24 Challenge. “Our superintendent, Dr. Hairston, emphasizes a goal of high achievement in math and science for all our students,” Baltzley says. “This program provides the opportunity for students to improve their fluency with mathematics, which subsequently leads to their academic success. I’m always impressed with the level of excitement and enthusiasm that the elementary and middle school students bring to this event.”

M&T Bank, sole corporate sponsor of this mathematics initiative in the Baltimore County Public Schools, provided the math games and supporting materials used in the classroom, and funded this annual spring tournament. Local school winners in each division receive $50 savings bonds, and tournament Grand Champions are awarded $1,000 U.S. savings bonds.

“We are pleased to sponsor ‘24 Challenge’ Math Tournament because it’s a fun way to teach the math and critical reasoning skills necessary for students to excel in higher education and ultimately the workforce,” says Noel Carroll, regional sales manager for M&T Bank. “Supporting education is integral to our community approach to banking.”

24 Challenge® and 24® are trademarks of Suntex International, Inc.

Story by Brice Freeman, communications director, and Adele Merti, media specialist and Good News Ambassador, Hereford Middle School. Photo courtesy Hereford Middle School.