MANSFIELD — North central Ohio students in grades 4 through 8 kicked off their Academic Challenge season in January with meets on the 12th, 13th, 26th and 27th.
Students compete as teams, answering questions about a wide range of topics including literature, fine arts, geography, history, math, and science.
Academic Challenge coordinator Leanna Ferreira said while competition looked different, the intensity and level of challenge remained the same.
“I have enjoyed seeing the students and coaches adapt to this new format this year, and while everyone is still getting used to the added nuances associated with a virtual tournament we are also settling into a comfortable routine.”
Ferreira said she was told that one student in particular found less anxiety in the virtual setting and feels she performs better.
“She said it feels more comfortable rather than having to constantly acclimate to a new location and experience the intensities of new individuals in her physical location each round. This is why I enjoy this activity so very much. We are giving students an opportunity to celebrate academics in a safe, yet competitive nature. It is a place where being ‘smart’ is celebrated in a similar environment to athletics.”
Twelve teams from Colonel Crawford, Crestview, Galion, Lexington, Shelby, Mansfield City’s Spanish Immersion and Wooster participated in the 6th Grade Academic Challenge meet on Jan. 12. Spanish Immersion B team emerged the winner with members Riley Jones, Aiden Henry, and Hadley Hoovler. Wooster Team A made up of Eleanor Arnold, Jill Hostetler, Tim Michel, Dane Kuzma, Olivia Kelly, and Nick Kakanuru was the runner-up.
On Jan. 13, a dozen teams from Ashland, Colonel Crawford, Lexington, Mansfield City’s Spanish Immersion, Mansfield Middle, Madison and Wooster participated in the 7th/8th Grade Academic Challenge. Wooster Team A with members Aaron Vandegrift, Carson Piermarini, Braelynn Sexton, Brooklyn Chelakaden and Luci Dean won the meet.
The Spanish Immersion 8th grade team of Makayla Oswalt, Brayden Wendling, Emma Kline, and Jacob Slade came in second.
January 26 was the 5th grade Academic Challenge meet with 13 teams from Crestview, Galion, Ontario, Lexington, Shelby, Plymouth-Shiloh, and Wooster. Wooster Team A won the meet. Team members were Hosiah Sexton, Elijah Dean, Andrew James and Noemi Bokrossy. The runner-up was Ontario’s team of Braxton Michalovich, Alex Hohman, Tanner Winningham, Leeah Ziegler, Parker Willis, and Ella Them.
Finally, 10 4th-grade teams from Crestview, Galion, Lexington, Ontario, Shelby, and Plymouth-Shiloh competed in their Academic Challenge meet on Jan. 27. Even though they were competing for the first time, they adeptly navigated the technology used to host the virtual event and completed all six rounds. Lexington swept the match with their Central Elementary team comprised of Jesse Snell, Ella Rastetter, Odin Sombrio, Emma Secrist, and Noah Teater winning first place, while the Eastern Elementary team of Abby Quaid, Marissa Riley, Axl Lamp, Max Ackerman, and Dominic Goodman placed second.
MID-OHIO EDUCATIONAL SERVICE CENTER
Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center provides specialized academic and support services to 10 school districts and over 17,000 students in Crawford, Morrow and Richland Counties. Client Districts receive services from curriculum, gifted and special education consultants, speech pathologists, psychologists, special education teachers, occupational therapists and physical therapists.
