Experiencing my first Mayor’s Cup along with my 5th grade daughter was a blast. I was so impressed with the competition, teamwork, sportsmanship, and talent of our JCPS students. Our school hosted one of the competitions, where students who are on the Quick Recall and Future Problem Solving teams competed with each other in a friendly school-based competition. Our host site, Wheeler Elementary, was paired up with three other JCPS schools: Brown Elementary, Chenoweth Elementary and Dunn Elementary.
During the morning session, the Problem Solving teams performed a skit that had been created, written, designed, and rehearsed completely by the students. They each had a problem that related to cyber bullying and “e-tabs” that students were carrying around with them. They had to present the problem that students were facing too much internet bullying, and act out their skits on stage in front of the audience members. They were then judged on different criteria and their overall presentation and how well they interacted together as a team to solve their presented problems.
During the afternoon session, the Quick Recall teams competed in a question/answer format to several rounds of questions related to anything from mathematics problems, science, literature, history, and social studies topics. Two teams competed against each other, then went onto a double elimination round, and ended with two final teams competing for 1st place.
The placing was as follows:
Problem Solving: 4th place-Brown, 3rd place-Wheeler, 2nd place-Chenoweth, 1st place-Dunn
Quick Recall: 4th place-Brown, 3rd place-Wheeler, 2nd place-Dunn, 1st place-Chenoweth
The students were well-rounded, well-prepared, and highly engaged and energetic about their individual tasks as well as their place in their group’s success. It was a pleasure to be in the audience cheering on all of the schools and JCPS students. Wheeler Elementary did an outstanding job hosting our particular competition. This showcase of students’ talents proves to me again that Jefferson County Public Schools are working diligently and striving for success at all levels. The hard work and dedication of these students, their teachers and coaches, and their parents proves that.
Photos by Erin Nevitt
