The competition was intense, and we congratulate Meadowthorpe Elementary School team B in topping the intermediate division and Squires Elementary team C in winning the primary division! (View a list of winners.)

For those who might not know, the Academic Challenge gives all elementary students in the district an opportunity to join a team at their school and then participate in three competitions: the One Community One Voice Invitational, the Principal’s Cup and the Superintendent’s Cup. College scholarships are awarded to the intermediate and primary winners of the Superintendent’s Cup.

Our kids did a great job at the Invitational this past weekend. As I watched the faces of our students as they competed, it gave me goose bumps. To see them so focused on academics on a Saturday morning with more than 2,500 people there to support them was no less than amazing!

I would like to personally thank chairman Arnold Gaither, project consultant Karolyn Kell and all the members of OCOV for the vision for this event. I also want to thank all of our parents, staff, board members and community volunteers for helping make this event so very special.

Lexington Traditional Magnet School won first place, Beaumont Middle took second, Winburn was third, Morton came in fourth, and Edythe J Hayes Middle finished sixth. (View a list of winners.)

Students from the top two teams, LTMS and Beaumont, will participate in the state competition March 7-8 in Louisville.

Let’s offer all our students hearty congratulations for their spirit of competition and academic success!