The geometry classes at Wessington Springs High School made it three in a row, winning the Grade 10 National First in Math competition. The students had an average sticker count of 2172.3. Students work through a variety of math challenge activities, games, and reviews to earn stickers. Shown are, top row: Loriann Schimke, Julie Whitehead, Ty Kenobbie; third row: Becky Kopfmann, Meghen Wolter, Megan Sedlacek, Shelby Sandmann; second row: Paige Jacomet, Daniel Jackson, Kole Kopfmann, Jesse Baker; front row: Amanda Engle, Mindy Kraft, Ethan Hargens. Not Pictured: Mike Jurgens

The geometry classes at Wessington Springs High School made it three in a row, winning the Grade 10 National First in Math competition. The students had an average sticker count of 2172.3. Students work through a variety of math challenge activities, games, and reviews to earn stickers. First In Math is a curriculum supplement that gives students the fundamental skills they need to achieve their academic goals. It delivers fluency in basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, while advancing higher-order thinking skills such as mental math, problem solving, pattern sensing, reasoning and number sense.

The program employs a sequential approach to learning; students start on “easier” material and work through more challenging content. Every module includes positive feedback to boost confidence—students experience the satisfaction of knowing they are gaining speed and accuracy and are becoming ‘good in math’!

Members of the winning team and their place in the state rankings are as follows: Mindy Kraft 2nd, Mike Jurgens 3rd, Becky Kopfmann 4th, Ethan Hargens 5th, Meghen Wolter 7th, Loriann Schimke 9th, Daniel Jackson 12th, Kole Kopfmann 14th, Shelby Sandmann 15th, Jesse Baker 16th, Megan Sedlacek 17th, Amanda Engle 18th, Paige Jacomet 21st, Julie Whitehead 29th, and Ty Kenobbie 30th.

This year marked the first year the Algebra class competed, and they ended up as National Runner-up. They followed the same guideline the Geometry class did and averages 1863 stickers per student. They were helped by a trio of 7th graders. Their state rankings are as follows: John Waggoner 1st in the state, Kelsey Larsen 6th,

The instructor for both classes is Gloria Vavra. Nationally she finished 10th in the adult division.

Additional students at the elementary level placed in the state, but not as teams. They are: Chase Von Eye 31st, Nicholas Paulson 32nd, Jenna Teveldal 34th, Maddie Gran 35th, Marina Parks 36th, Lexi Stuart 38th, Austin Messmer 40th, Landon Oschner 41st, Collin Anson 42nd, Trinity Brunsen 43rd, Hunter Mees 45th, Kristina Kole 46th, Ian Hoarty 47th, Kylee Boomsma 49th, Kylan Larson 50th, Morgan Tebay 53rd, Braeden Johnson 55th, Shyanne Kopfmann 56th, Sheyanne Brodkorb 61st, Bethany Schroeder 62nd, Cody Barber 64th, Tony Vue 69th, Brianna Johnson 72nd, Domanick Havard 73rd, Conner Lee 78th, Dominic Johnson 79th, Monica Jones 83rd, Neesa Westby 84th, Owen Witte 85th, Cadee Schelske 94th and Jaci Westby 96th. Elementary instructors included Connie McLaughlin, Renee Hurley, and Karon Stevens.

Algebra team is national runner-up Top Row: Carly Christensen Renee Jackson Dakotah Parks; fourth row: Trevor Kenobbie, Dylan Ocshner, Kelsey Larson; middle row: Marie Massella, Culley Tobin, Steve Vue; second row: John Waggoner, Chelsey Schroeder, Jase Kraft; front row : Gloria Vavra, Braden Jones, Zachary Paulson