Kannapolis Middle School recently hosted the first Elementary Math 24 Challenge Tournament.
Participants competed in a Math 24 Challenge, which involves a deck of cards, each showing four numbers. When presented with a card, the players strive to be the first to combine the four numbers to make 24 using addition, subtraction, multiplication or division. A student wins a card when he or she is the first to tap the card and correctly provide a solution.
Countless cards have more than one solution. The game is shockingly difficult; although it was immediately evident these Kannapolis students were prepared.
Not only did the students exhibit impressive mathematic skills, it was the authentic display of camaraderie and sportsmanship that made this tournament a success.
The tournament commenced with thunderous player introductions for each of the 32 participants. Eight students each announced respectively from Shady Brook, Fred L. Wilson, Jackson Park, and Woodrow Wilson Elementary.
The tournament lasted four rounds with the top half point earners advancing to the next round. In the final round, the top four competitors competed to determine the tournament champion.
Imani Gill took home first place. The runner-up in the tournament was Mark Pinales. And Anija Benjamin and Erick Herrera walked away with fourth and third place, respectively.
The overall winner received a Kindle Fire and second place received an iPod Nano. The 3rd place and 4th place finishers each received iPod Shuffles. In addition to those prizes, each of the top four competitors was presented with bicycles. Every student who qualified for the tournament were presented with additional prizes.
Many thanks go out to all the teachers, principals and other district staff who attended the tournament to support their students, together with the awe-inspiring amount of proud parents, grandparents and siblings of the competitors.
Additionally, we appreciated the support and commitment from the Academic Learning Center, Mike Minter Organization and the elementary education department at Kannapolis City Schools.