Contributed to the Telegram

Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools recognized outstanding mathematic students and coaches at a recent Board of Education meeting. Two high schools and two middle schools ranked among the best in the region with three team members finishing in the top ten in the state.

Rocky Mount High School was awarded first place at regional competition receiving the Overall 3-A High School Award for the third year in a row. The Comprehensive Team fared well, placing third overall with individual awards given to Sameer Prasada (second place) and John Deans (fourth place). Both Sameer and John were invited to continue on to state level competition. Rocky Mount High School's Algebra II Team placed fourth with Alex Batts placing third in the individual category.

RMHS Comprehensive Team members are Justin Adams, Elizabeth Cotton, John Deans, Richard Deans, Gus Demilio, Kashyap Kaul, Brandon Lett, Sameer Prasada, Erika Wesonga and Mykal Williams. Algebra II Team members include Margaret Arroyo, Alex Batts, Kelsey Benson, David Deans, Benton Moss and Michaela Thorne. RMHS Coaches were Deborah Keel and Yvette Barnes.

Southern Nash High School student, Jordan Joyner qualified for state finals in the Geometry competition with a fourth place individual finish at regionals and went on to place fourth in the state of North Carolina. The Southern Nash High School math team placed fifth in the overall category for 3A high schools at regional competition.

Both Parker Middle School and Southern Nash Middle School math team members demonstrated their math prowess as well. The Parker Middle School Math Team was best in the region with a first place overall finish for small middle schools. Parker students also received regional and state recognition in individual contests. Tyler Blanton was awarded 1st Place in Algebra I competition and went on to compete at the state level. Elizabeth Morris placed 5th in the Algebra I category at regionals and placed 7th in the state of North Carolina in Algebra I competition. Parker Middle School Algebra I Team members include Tyler Blanton, Drew Eby and Elizabeth Morris.

Parker Middle School math students were also recognized for excellence at the MathCounts competition held at East Carolina University. MathCounts is a national program with the goal of math enrichment and competition at the middle school level. The Parker Middle School MathCounts team placed 3rd in the competition with Tyler Blanton placing 1st in individual competition and Elizabeth Morris placing 6th. Tyler was also named the Regional Winner for the competition. The Parker Team continued on to state level competition, placing 22nd at states with Tyler finishing in the top 20 percent of competitors. Parker's MathCounts Club started just this school year and was 1 of 12 in the state to achieve Gold Level status. Parker Middle School MathCounts Team members are Tyler Blanton, Jordan Harrison, Essence Henderson and Elizabeth Morris. Ivey Powell was the Parker Middle School math team coach as well as the sponsor of the MathCounts Club.

Southern Nash Middle School was named 3rd Place overall for middle schools regionally. Team member Gregory Ellington placed in the top 10 percent for Algebra I and continued on to win 10th in the state at the next level of competition. Southern Nash Middle School Algebra I Team members are Gregory Ellington, Hannah Taylor and Clay Whitley. The Southern Nash Middle School coach was Amanda Moss.