P.S. Jones Middle School News, Part II | Eastern North Carolina Now

For Immediate Release:

MathCounts

   On Saturday, February 4, eight students from P.S. Jones Middle School competed at the Regional MathCounts competition, at South Central High School, in Greenville, North Carolina. In attendance were Eric Crozier, Keveon Everette, Hannah Gahagan, Kara Hall, Win Martin, Robert Mayo, Rosie Vaughan, and Amber Wade. The students were accompanied to the event by their school MathCounts coach, Christine Arnold.

   At the Regional event, PSJ placed eighth in team competition, squaring off against twenty-six other area middle schools. Competing against approximately 175 students, eighth grader, Robert Mayo, turned in an excellent performance, receiving a ninth place finish in individual competition. Robert also competed well in the Countdown Round, where he again finished in ninth place.

   MathCounts is currently in its twenty-ninth year as a school organization, boasting active membership in all fifty U.S. states, as well as in all U.S. territories. It is both a national enrichment club, and competitive program, with a dual purpose of promoting student interest, and excellence in middle school mathematics. Students compete at both the local school and regional levels of competition, and can advance to state and national contests based on their scores.
P. S. Jones Middle School’s MathCounts team competed regionally on Saturday, February 4. From left to right are Amber Wade, Kara Hall, Rosie Vaughan, Keveon Everette, Hannah Gahagan, Robert Mayo, Win Martin, and Eric Crozier.

PSJ Science Olympiad Team Finishes Season with Several Wins at Regional Competition

   On Saturday, January 28, twenty-seven P S Jones Middle School students competed at the Greenville Regional Science Olympiad tournament. Our school team participated in twenty-three different events, against twenty-two teams from nineteen counties. Successful tournament competition requires many hours of prep time, and our team measured up to the task, working diligently both during school Accel time, and one day per week after school. Additionally, students committed countless hours working at home, both developing and honing their projects for competition.

   Many members of the PSJ Science Olympiad team were winners at the regional tournament. Varsity team members Leland Hill, and Robert Mayo, received first place for their Storm the Castle project, with Junior Varsity members Ben McKeithan and Zach Pagnani receiving second place in the same event. McKeithan and Pagnani also placed second in the Helicopters competition, along with Varsity counterparts, Leland Hill and Ryan Oehrli, who also placed second in the same event. Varsity members Hannah Gahagan, and Rachel Lang, took second in the Heredity event, as did Robert Mayo and Eric Crozier for their Shock Value project. Ben Crawford and Jacob Williams received third place in the Mousetrap Vehicle competition. Fourth place Varsity team winners included Rachel Lang, and Becca Jones, for their Bottle Rocket project, as well as Tap Perry, and Ben Crawford, for their work on Rocks and Minerals.

   With this year’s Science Olympiad activities drawing to a close, PSJ would like to congratulate all PSJ Science Olympiad students for their dedication, school spirit, and sportsmanlike behavior shown in preparing for, and competing in regional competition. P.S. Jones would also like to extend their appreciation and gratitude to the many parents, who committed both their time and support of both students, and staff members throughout this year’s Science Olympiad endeavors. Special thanks also goes out our hard working PSJ faculty members Leigh Apple, Elizabeth Bartlett, Dawn Landen, and Robert Terrell, as well as to our school administration for their dedication and tireless contributions throughout the season.

   North Carolina Science Olympiad [NCSO] is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to both attract and retain a pool of students, kindergarten through twelfth grade, who may one day be interested in pursuing science, technology, engineering, or mathematics [STEM] degrees and careers in North Carolina. Every year, NCSO hosts tournaments at universities, community colleges, and public school campuses across the state. These tournaments are rigorous, academic, and interscholastic competitions, consisting of a series of hands-on, interactive, and inquiry-based events, representing the disciplines of biology, earth science, environmental science, chemistry, physics, engineering, and technology.

   Any PSJ student, grades six through eight, can participate in NCSO activities, provided they have a strong interest in science, and are willing to make a commitment to do their best. Interested students should contact Leigh Apple for further information.

Where in the World Is?

PSJ Students Shine at Recent School Geographic Bee

   On January 12th, eighteen students participated in PS Jones’ school-level National Geographic Bee. Students were asked questions about cultural and physical features, patterns of languages, religions, economic activities, populations, and political systems. Six students advanced to the final round. Those students were Keveon Everette, Rontayvian Floyd, Austin Gibson, Tyler Moore, Eric Martinez, and Robert Mayo. Keveon Everette came in third place, Tyler Moore came in second, and Robert Mayo was the bee winner. Robert completed a written qualifying test to compete for advancement to the state competition in March.
Bottom row, left to right: Robert Mayo, Kara Hall, Faith Bolden, Rosa Vaughan, Keveon Everett, Tyler Moore, Austin Gibson, Rontayvian Floyd, and, JaQuinetta Deloach.
Top row, left to right: Joshua Anderson, Catherine Bell, Justin Cherry, Joshua Gorham, Eric Martinez, Tyrese Starkie, Susan Chiprout, Clement Mason, and, Tymeek Cobb.

    Call/email if you have questions.

    Sarah Hodges
    Public Information Officer
    Beaufort County Schools
      252.946.6593 office
      252.402.5834 cell
      shodges@beaufort.k12.nc.us e-mailoto)