Three first graders at Weeks Elementary have qualified for the New York State Elementary Mathematics Tournament in May. Zakir Hakeem, Zacary Cannistra, and Landon Fleetwood are off to Albany after their winning performance in the regional competition.

The trio weren’t expecting to come away with their victories.

“I felt really surprised,” said Zakir.

“I was surprised as well,” said Landon.

“I was excited, surprised, and happy,” said Zacary.

Teacher Lindsey Hendricks wasn’t surprised at all.

“They are really an incredible group of kids. They are independently driven to do well. They’ve stopped in during their lunches to practice, on their way down to their classroom in the morning, during recess,” said Mrs. Hendricks. “The three of them are so committed on their own terms that it’s great to see them in just a couple of days to come together as a team. They qualified individually but they have to compete as a team and will be scored as a team.”

The Black Knight mathematicians will compete on June 1st at the University at Albany. The Weeks team is the only one from the Broome-Tioga-Delaware County region from any grade, and only one of ten first-grade teams in the state to go to the state competition at the University at Albany.

The trio will have a chance to come home with another victory. Even if not, they are still enjoying the benefits of learning math.

“It helps your brain get stronger,” said Zacary.

“It helps you get really smart,” said Landon.