During its regular meeting on March 25, the Johnson County Schools Board of Education celebrated the successes of a large group of students for their successes at every grade level in Governor’s Cup competition, including a state championship community problem solving team from W.R. Castle Elementary, two state championship future problem solving teams from Porter Elementary and Johnson Central High School and a myriad of runners-up and individual placements at the state level.
During its regular meeting on March 25, the Johnson County Schools Board of Education recognized students from across the district for another year of academic competition success.
Students recognized at the meeting ranged from elementary grade levels to high school, all of which saw multiple students placing at a state-level in competitions including future problem solving, quick recall, community problem solving, individual written testing and overall team placement.
Specific achievements included a first-place finish for Porter Elementary in Future Problem Solving, alongside a first-place finish for the W.R. Castle Elementary Community Problem Solving Team (who will travel to Bloomington, Indiana in June to compete at the international level), followed up by a second-place finish in CmPS for Central Elementary.
At the middle-grade level, the Johnson County Middle School quick recall team took second in the state, with several individual placements, including state champions among their team earning them a second-place overall finish, missing first place by only three points, according to coach Josh Collins.
Johnson Central High School academic team students saw much success, according to JCHS Principal Justin Arms, who said the JCHS team placed fifth overall, with several individual placements and a first-place finish in Future Problem Solving.
Arms spoke to the importance of the continued support of what he called Johnson County’s most successful dynasty and how the collaboration of parents, coaches, board members and students have enabled the district to continue to host such a prolific team.
“When you think about the most successful program, teams or organizations, a lot of people might think you’re referencing a basketball, baseball or football team, but in actuality, it’s our academic team,” Arms said. “We’ve been rolling for quite some time and it’s nothing short of impressive … Overall, it was just a great, great year. It comes as no surprise … With the support of the superintendent and the board of education … We have very, very supportive parents and it takes everybody together, all on the same page, to make great things happen.
“We continue to do that, year after year,” Arms continued. “I’ll tell you, I get so excited when I go down there to watch the awards … They just cheer on and they are supportive of their teammates. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if we are all together on the same page, striving for the same prize, the sky is the limit and it is that way with the academic team every year.”
Arms gave his thanks for the coaches at the high school level, echoing the sentiments shared by principals at each grade level.
“We’re very, very blessed to have such wonderful coaches … All of which are fantastic educators but even better people and role models for our students,” Arms said.
Milli Conley, an assistant coach in charge of science content at JCHS, spoke to the same and the support of the district, but also the tremendous amount of work put in by the students.
“So it started way back in the summer … The season starts in June with international competition, then we’re headed to summer camp … Thanks to our awesome board and superintendent for the funding for that, that summer camp has given our students a leg up and advantage over the competition for certain,” Conley said. “Overall, it’s been a really successful year and I will say that I have worked other places and been to other places and there is no place like Johnson County, especially for investing in our students when it comes to academics and I know it will serve you in the long run. I am so proud of the growth I’ve witnessed in every single one of (these students) this year, whether they placed on that stage or not, they were phenomenal and have grown so much as students and people. Thank you.”
The Johnson County Schools Board of Education meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 5 p.m. in the district’s central administrative building on the JCMS and JCHS campus. All meetings are open to the public.
