News and Events

Nearly 50 middle school students from across Dare County Schools came together March 11 for the district’s first-ever Numbers Game Math Competition, held at First Flight Middle School. The event showcased both individual and team math skills inspired by the MATHCOUNTS Competition.

Sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students from Cape Hatteras Secondary, First Flight Middle and Manteo Middle began the competition with an individual speed round. During this round, students completed 30 math problems without calculators in 40 minutes. The top 10 performers advanced to a fast-paced, buzzer-style countdown round, answering challenging questions head-to-head.

Students also competed in team rounds, emphasizing collaboration, communication and strategy. Teams of four — one student from each grade level and a wild card member — worked together to solve 10 problems without calculators, earning points for correct solutions.

After a competitive showcase, Makayla Akers of Cape Hatteras Secondary finished first in the individual competition, followed by Aaron Zheng of First Flight Middle in second place and Dayton Dixon of Manteo Middle in third.

First Flight Middle School team members Benton Westphal, Scarlett Foreman, Asher Broughton and Bailey Beall earned first place in the team round. Second place was awarded to the Cape Hatteras Secondary team of Quinn Van Druten, Makayla Akers, Rylie Davidson and Ayva O’Neal. Third place went to the Manteo Middle School team of Violet Lowe, Makiya Montague and Kevin Oviedo-Flores.

“Our first annual Numbers Game Middle School Math Competition showcased our students’ math skills, perseverance and teamwork,” said Dare County Schools MTSS and Math Coordinator Dawn Tillett. “Watching them think critically, collaborate and celebrate one another’s success was truly inspiring. We are proud of our mathletes and thank the educators who prepared them for this event.”

Dare County Schools congratulates the participants for their impressive math knowledge and sportsmanship, setting a high standard for future competitions.

The students’ success highlighted the exceptional instruction and support from their teachers and coaches. The district thanks the following educators for making this event possible.

Numbers Game Math Coaches & Competition Support

• Dawn Tillett, Event organizer and MTSS and Math Coordinator
• Josh Polk, Cape Hatteras Secondary School Teacher and Coach
• Maria Wise and Debbie Dickerson, First Flight Middle School Teachers and Coaches
• Melissa Geiger, Manteo Middle School Teacher and Coach
• Lisa Winn, FFMS Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG) teacher and judge
• Shannon Brinkley, FFMS Media Coordinator and Game Host
• Hillary Braden, DCS Instructional Technology Facilitator