On Saturday, March 7, students from Lake Oconee Academy demonstrated their problem-solving skills and teamwork at the Perennial Math Tournament held locally at Greene County High School, earning top honors across multiple grade levels.
Students in grades 3 through 8 represented LOA at the competition, where they competed against schools from across the region in a variety of challenging mathematical events. The tournament tests students’ abilities in logic, collaboration and advanced problem solving, providing a fun but rigorous opportunity to apply classroom learning in a competitive environment.
Despite it being their first year competing in the tournament, LOA students delivered an impressive performance, earning multiple first-place finishes in both team and individual categories.
According to LOA math teacher Danielle Bilbo, the experience was both exciting and rewarding for the students. “I am incredibly proud of all the students. This was our first time competing in the math competition and we didn’t know what to expect, but they showed tremendous perseverance, teamwork and confidence,” Bilbo said. “Watching them celebrate their hard work and realize that their academic achievements are something to be proud of is exactly why I love working with these students! Their excitement has already inspired other students to join the team next year.”
LOA teams earned strong finishes across several divisions:
• 3rd Grade Team – 1st Place
• 4th Grade Team – 1st Place
• 6th Grade Team – 1st Place
• 8th Grade Team – 1st Place
• 6th Grade Team – 2nd Place
• 8th Grade Team – 2nd Place
Several LOA students earned individual recognition for their outstanding performance as well.
3rd Grade
• Riot Parker – 1st Place
• Jackson Noto – 1st Place
• George Poucher – 1st Place
• Shep Smith – 2nd Place
4th Grade
• Fritz Dresch – 2nd Place
• Wyatt Miller – 2nd Place
• Jordan Loh – 3rd Place
5th Grade
• Owen Griffin – 2nd Place
• Lilah Tolbert – 3rd Place
6th Grade
• Grady Wisner – 1st Place
• Archer Logan – 3rd Place
7th Grade
• Emmaline Gusfa – 1st Place
• Hallie Wilcher – 1st Place
• Stephen Mancill – 3rd Place
• Callan McCracken – 3rd Place
8th Grade
• John McMillan – 1st Place
• Olivia Bellefeuille – 2nd Place
• Will DiMascio – 2nd Place
• August Flachbarth – 3rd Place
• Ninel Maliukova – 3rd Place
The success of our students reflects LOA’s continued commitment to academic excellence and providing students with opportunities to challenge themselves beyond the classroom. With such a strong showing in their first year of competition, LOA’s math team is already looking forward to returning next year and competing again.