Albany students shine at TMSCA state

By Melinda L. Lucas

Four Albany middle school students competed in competition sponsored by the Texas Math and Science Coaches Association (TMSCA) during the state meet in San Antonio last weekend, with two of them placing in the top 20 in three categories.

Sixth grader Tanner Howe was second in science, seventh in number sense, and 11th in math.

Fellow sixth grader Travis Hill was 17th in science, 13th in number sense, and 18th in math.

Seventh grader Mason Cradduck and sixth grader Kingston Balliew finished just outside the top 20 in their events, according to sponsor Kelli Kreitler.

“I’m incredibly proud of all our TMSCA participants,” Kreitler said. “They worked hard and dedicated multiple Saturdays and after-school hours to learning the skills they needed to be successful. We had a successful year, and our program showed growth, which was always our goal.”

More than 150 schools, 1A-6A, were represented at the state contest, with local students competing well against larger schools.

“I look forward to seeing how the benefits of this program will impact our upper-level math and sciences, as well as junior high and high school UIL,” Kreitler said.