The competitive middle-school program, in which students compete by solving written and oral problems in both individual and team settings, promotes mathematic achievement and problem-solving skills on a state and national level.
Following a full day of problem solving, eight finalists faced off in the final round to determine the top-two winners. As the final two competitors aimed for first place, it was Bammel Middle School’s seventh-grade Emmanuel Saldaña who was able to take the top spot, becoming the 2016 MathCounts Spring ISD District Champion. This is Saldaña’s second year competing and his first middle-school win. Carlos Rincon, a seventh-grader from Bailey Middle School, placed second.
“I was very nervous and felt the pressure. When you are up there everyone is looking at you, and you just have to concentrate and do your best,” said Saldaña. “I was very excited after I won.”
Saldaña’s family attended the event as well as did many other parents, family and friends of the young mathematicians, cheering their own.
Six other students qualified as finalist to the 2016 MathCounts competition and received honorable mention for their fine efforts. They include Adriana Matos, Roberson Middle School; Hazel Amaya, Twin Creeks Middle School; An Nguyen, Bailey Middle School; Kaitlyn Eshenbaugh, Dueitt Middle School; Jeffery Zaugg, Twin Creeks Middle School; and Kevin Bonilla, Roberson Middle School.
The 2016 MathCounts Team winners are 1st Place: Bailey Middle School; 2nd Place: Bammel Middle School; and 3rd Place: Dueitt Middle School.
Each middle school will select a team to represent its school at chapter competition on Feb. 13 at the Fluor Corporation in Sugarland where the students will compete for the opportunity to qualify for state level competition in March.