Athletes aren’t the only ones competing this winter at Holy Innocents’. Last Friday, a group of Middle School students traveled to Temple Emmanuel for the 25th anniversary of MATHCOUNTS, a yearly mathematics competition.

“The goal is for the students to enjoy math and take on the challenge of competition in a different arena,” Middle School math teacher Ms. Sallie Samuels said. “It’s a national contest; we participate on a local level against other independent schools in the metro Atlanta area.”

Samuels took six eighth graders and two seventh graders for the annual event, including Thomas Menk, Clint Dolan, Harrison Andros, Hannah Kissack, Ann Yanda, Emma Bourne, James Best and Creighton Aldridge.

The group captured sixth out of 19 in the independent school division. Best finished 22nd out of 130 participants and was the leading HIES contestant.

MATHCOUNTS is for grades 6-8 and is sponsored nationally by 11 major corporations. Competition consists of four players per team and four individuals who compete in three academic rounds and one fun round.

If they qualify, individuals or teams advance to the second round, held in March. The finals are held in a major city and are broadcast in May on ESPN.

In the past, Kit York – now a senior at HIES – qualified for the second round.

Samuels went to Temple Emmanuel with two returners off of last years’ team and six newcomers. She comes up with her team by ‘drafting’ them out of her classes.