The question is, "Are you smarter than a fifth grader?" I have discovered that I am probably not as smart as Bond Mill Elementary fifth-graders Peyton Ridgely, Michael Stroud, Braxton Harsley and Joshua Webb. They proved how smart they are last week at the Prince George's County Public School Science Bowl competition when they went up against reigning champions Glenarden Woods and conquered them with a score of 265-245.
If you have seen the game show "It's Academic," this competition is set up much like that, except all the questions are science-oriented. The team progressed the same day to play Magnolia Elementary and pulled off another win with a score of 245 to 210.
I asked the boys what their secret to success was. Was it their quick buzzer skills? They admitted that they all work really well together and have practiced so long together that they start to think in harmony. I asked them what kinds of questions they were asked and they told me that the questions and answers come and go so fast that they could hardly remember them. They all agreed that the competition was fierce and intense.
It seems that their pent-up energy was shared with Principal Justin FitzGerald, who told them to be calm and win with class or lose with their heads up with dignity. However, they were all gathered together in their classroom with the principal, fifth-grade teacher Glen Belton and coach Kathy Jacobs when they let out their excitement. They were ecstatic, doing a happier than happy dance. The principal was right with them.
Kudos to coach Kathy Jacobs. The team will compete again next month in the semifinals. Now, I am going to look up "phototropism" because evidently Michael, Harsley, Josh and Peyton know what it means.
Be on the lookout for the new Winter 2015 Hotline, which is written and distributed by the West Laurel Civic Association. The Hotline urges all West Laurel residents to come to the winter meeting Thursday, Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the West Laurel Community Building on Brooklyn Bridge Road, near Bond Mill Road. The Hotline has one little, teeny, tiny typo on the back page that says Hotline 2105. I'm sure by that time, there will be a lot of different discussion and topics. So, make sure you don't wait, come to the WLCA Winter 2015 meeting. Find out what's going on in the community.
Congratulations to Tabitha and Josh Spence on the birth of their beautiful daughter, Emma Renee Spence, who was born Jan. 27 at a healthy weight of 9 pounds 8 ounces. Brother Jordan welcomed his baby sister along with West Laurel grandparents Chuck and Wendy Ridgely. Paternal grandparents are Larry Spence, of West Virginia, and Anita Donovan, of North Carolina. Tabitha grew up in West Laurel, and moved back here to raise her own family.