Local Students Excel in National Noetic Math Competition, Community Celebrates

On Nov. 19 and 20, 217 students in grades two through eight from across northeast Colorado sat for a 45 minute test at their schools and submitted scores to the National Fall Noetic Math Competition, part of a national effort that included 33,223 competitors across all grade levels. Two fifth graders from the region reached the National Honor Roll, placing in the top 10 percent nationwide at their grade level. Daniel Ewell of Akron Elementary School and Max Cure of Wray Elementary School will receive commemorative medals at their schools.

Regionally, first place winners by grade represented several local districts. In second grade Valor Durbin of Peetz Elementary School took first. In third grade the winner was Easton Salyards of Haxtun Elementary School. Fourth grade first place went to Penny Nicolas of Re 1 Valley Schools. Fifth grade first place was Daniel Ewell of Akron Elementary School. Sixth grade produced a five way tie including Maddox Ardrey of Akron Elementary School, and Corynn Monheiser, Jaxon Gardiner, Liam Jost, and Jack Koester of Re 1 Valley Schools. Seventh grade saw a tie between Abigail Ewell of Akron Elementary School and Miacah Baca of Re 1 Valley Schools. Eighth grade first place went to Corbin Svoboda of Re 1 Valley Schools. All regional first place winners were also on the Honorable Mention list recognizing scores in the top 50 percent nationally.

Honorable Mention recognition will bring blue ribbons to many local students. Recipients named from Holyoke include Theo Bergner second grade, and Lindyn Luedke fifth grade. From Re 1 Valley Schools the list includes Joyce Keating second grade, Siryn Hendricks and Luke Nava third grade, Hadley Hendrix, Mackley Willis, Joey Koester, and Ava Lebsock fourth grade, Jordyn Hedges and Ella Girdler fifth grade, and Kenny Rhodes and Jaykob Boozell sixth grade. From Haxtun, Tripp Biesemeier sixth grade was recognized. From Peetz, Quentin Cowden and Nicole Weisbrook third grade, and Landon Fehringer fourth grade earned Honorable Mention. From Wray, Travis Bailey and Beau Cure fourth grade were listed. From Revere, Wyatt Anchondo fifth grade and Lily McCormick sixth grade received recognition.

The awards ceremony and in school presentations give families a visible reminder of student achievement and provide positive reinforcement for mathematics learning. For Logan County residents the results also underline larger policy questions about equitable access to enrichment and gifted programming in rural districts, and the need for sustained support to nurture talent across communities. Administrators and educators can use participation and performance data to advocate for resources, targeted instruction, and supports that address disparities between districts. A similar contest is scheduled for spring, and parents seeking details are advised to contact the gifted and talented coordinator in their local district for information on participation and supports.