MADISON – Students mathematicians from Madison Elementary School earned high marks at the Perennial Math Tournament on Nov. 2.

Madison Elementary School’s Math Team smiles with their medals and high marks from the Perennial Math Tournament. (CONTRIBUTED)

The University of Alabama in Huntsville hosts two of these competitions annually. Dr. Sylvia Dean coordinates the tournaments.

“Competitions consist of both an individual and a team test,” Beth Woodard said. Woodard teaches fourth-graders and sponsors the math team at Madison elementary. “The tournament is open to students in grades 3-8.”

“Out of the 15 kids that went, we had six individual medals and 10 team medals. Two out of three teams placed,” Woodard said.

Madison elementary fifth- and sixth-graders tied for several places. Sixth-graders Bradley Spindle tied for first place; Justin Peel, tie, second; Sherry Lee, tie, third; and Rohan Sen, tie, third. Fifth-graders Chris Woodard achieved a tie for first place, and Josh Lin tied for second.

In the sixth-grade team test, earning second place were Bradley Spindle, Justin Peel, Sherry Lee, Rohan Sen and Tom Teper. The fifth-grade team of Josh Lin, Chris Woodard, Ari Hunt, Conner White and Susan Xiao earned third place.

Other tournament participants were fifth-graders Christian Reynolds, Aidan Sims and Jackson Eames and sixth-graders Amber Guo, Hugh Mitchell and Branwen Apgwilym.

“I am ecstatic about my students’ success at the competition. Each child worked so hard preparing and on competition day. I’m so proud of each team member,” Woodard said.

After several years’ hiatus, the math team was revived this year. Woodard decided to sponsor the team “to provide enriching opportunities to help our students excel as mathematicians. I love watching them learn to problem solve and persevere as a team through challenging mathematical situations.”

“My students’ parents are a huge asset,” Woodard said. “Many of them offer a great deal of support to the kids — helping them with math team homework, driving them to competitions and encouraging them.”

In addition, third-grade teacher Laura Parker has just organized a third- and fourth-grade team at Madison elementary.