Diane Fowler/Special to the Eagle

Pat Bessette, with her Math-a-thon winners, in front from left, Cooper Hodsdon, third grade and Cassidy Carlson, second grade. Behind, from left are students Areesa Chaudry, fourth grade and Elizabeth Carrington, fifth grade.

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Tommie Barfield Elementary held its eighth annual Math-a-thon, organized and sponsored by tutor and former employee Pat Bessette.

“The contest went as smooth as silk this year,” Bessette said. “The kids are so polite and respectful. Many of them said thank you just to be included. When I started this years ago the goal was to give kids incentives to master the tools that are essential for FCAT math.”

The top five math students from each class in grades two through five are called down to the cafeteria, pencils in hand, to compete for the top prize, which is a $50 savings bond. The winner’s teachers at each grade level are also awarded with a $50 savings bond. Bessette very generously provides the savings bonds.

The second graders are tested on their addition and subtraction skills; third graders on multiplication up to 10; fourth graders on multiplication up to 12, and fifth graders on division up to 12. The first student finished in each grade level, with all answers correct, is the winner.

This year’s top winners are: Elizabeth Carrington, fifth grade, Areesa Chaudhry, fourth grade,

Cooper Hodsdon, third grade and Cassidy Carlson, second grade. Areesa and Cooper are double winners, having been the top winners in their grades last year.

This win was especially sweet for Areesa, whose brother Areeb has also been a double winner in the Math-a-thon.

“Since Areesa is only in the fourth grade she has a chance to be a triple winner,” Bessette said. Jokingly she added, “That gives her a chance to beat her brother with a win next year.”

Students who finish the test in the allotted time, and get all the answers correct, are awarded with certificates.

“These students are members of the 100% club,” Bessette said.

Members of the 2008 100% Club are: second grade — Savannah Sampson, Logan Lapidus, Tony Andrade, Logan Smith, Tia Nielsen, Nikki Brotzman, Cassidy Carlson; third grade — Paige Banaszak, Shane Kelley, Natalie Halbuer, Ariana Garousi, Mishel Nazarko, Savannah Rose, Cooper Hodsdon; fourth grade — Tyler Keegan, Zak Seligson, Robert Self, Cole Stretton, Taylor Lowdermilk, Kathleen Nixon, Areesa Chaudhry; fifth grade — Armando Frias and Elizabeth Carrington.

“I plan on continuing this program,” Bessette said. “The kids really look forward to it. All summer long they ask me, ‘When is the Math-a-thon?’”