The Ekalaka Eagle - Your Community Builder

One junior high team and two high school teams traveled to Miles City to compete in the annual Academics Olympics meet recently.

Gracie Tooke, Jared Pardee, Turner Tooke, and Sean Wolenetz placed eighth in the oral rounds. Rose Rychner, Mick O’Connor, Ryan Rychner, Darin Schallenberger and Jaden Pardee won 2 rounds and lost 2 rounds in the oral competition. CCHS students did well on the written test: Gracie Tooke place 6th for Seniors, Jared Pardee placed 2nd for Juniors, Ryan Rychner placed 4th for Juniors, Darin Schallenberger placed 4th for Sophomores, and Jaden Pardee placed 7th for Freshmen. Ryker Carroll, Kendall Kittelmann, Jennie Schmid, Kendra Tooke, Tegan Diede, and Preston Jensen competed in the Junior High Division. In the written test, Ryker Carroll placed 9th for 8th graders and Preston Jensen placed 10th for 7th graders.

The Junior High Division (grades 6th, 7th, and 8th) competition was Tuesday, March 10th. Twelve schools, 105 students and 18 teams took the 100 question multiple choice test. In the 8th grade division there were 53 participants. In the 7th grade 46 and 4 in the 6th grade. The first place finisher was an 8th grader, Luke Smith with a score of 77. For this, he received a plaque, ribbon and gold medal. Each of the top finishers for each grade received a ribbon and gold medal. Ribbons are given to the top 12 places in the 7th and 8th grade and top 6 in the 6th grade.

The first place team for the written test was Washington Middle School, who earned the traveling trophy. Baker A was the second place team.

In the Junior High Oral Rounds, Wibaux A placed first, receiving medals and taking home the traveling trophy. Jordan A took 2nd place and also received medals. 3rd place belonged to Washington Middle School, 4th to Washington Middle School B. 5th place Baker A defeated Plevna B. Then, 7th was won by Broadus A, who defeated Plevna B.

The Senior High Division competition was Wednesday, March 11th. Twelve schools, 134 high school students and 25 teams from southeast Montana took part in the academics challenge. Thirty Seniors, 40 Juniors, 30 Sophomores and 34 Freshmen participated in the contest.

One hundred thirty-four students took the 100 question multiple choice test and the first place finisher was Charlie Vermeire from Custer County District High School, with a score of 74. For this accomplishment she received a plaque, ribbon, gold medal and a scholarship. The $250 scholarships were awarded to the two highest placing Seniors; Charlie Vermeire (Custer County) with a score of 74 and Gerrit Punt (St. Labre) with a score of 69. Each of the top finishers for each grade received a ribbon and a medal. The first three places of each grade level received a ribbon and a medal. Ribbons were given for the top 8 places.

In the Senior Oral rounds, the Broadus A team placed 1st and took home the traveling trophy with first place and received medals. The Wibaux A team finished 2nd and also received medals. Finishing 3rd was Baker A, defeating Plevna A. Fifth was won by Miles City A, who defeated Miles City C and in 7th place was Baker B, defeating Ekalaka A.

Thank you to all of the people and organizations who make Academic Olympics possible for the students in this area. It is a great opportunity that our schools and superintendents can provide for our young academic students.

Carter County teams had noon practices in February and March. They were coached by Jana Fix, Chioko Hammel, Maxine Morgan and Sharon Carroll. The team wishes to thank Melody Loken for driving the bus and for being a timer/scorer during the event.

Congratulations to all of our participants; it is an honor to be selected to compete.