The Mighty Mu Math Competitions added up to success for some students at South Point Middle School Monday.

Sponsored by South Point High School’s Mu Alpha Theta, a chapter of the National Math Honor Society, the math competition included 18 students from each middle school grade, totaling 54 students, competing in areas of math to be No. 1.

“This is the third year we’ve had this competition for our middle school students,” said Misty Wood, South Point High School math teacher and sponsor of Mu Alpha Theta.

Wood said 15 of the Mu Alpha Theta’s members created the questions and answers as well as organized the event.

The students were divided into teams of three, each one with a student from each middle school grade, and were answering difficult championship questions, Wood said.

The two teams placing as runners up received a Texas Instrument scientific calculator for each member for their success, and the winning team received a graphing calculator, valued around $100 for each member.

“We also provided T-shirts and pizza,” Wood said. “Giovanni’s donated the pizza and I’ve used fundraising money for the rest.”

Josh Hughes, eighth grader, was part of the first-place winning team, for the second time. He also won first place in sixth grade.

“I’m kind of shocked I won twice,” Josh said. “I thought they’d give me a run for my money.” Josh said he might share his second graphing calculator with his sister.

The student said he likes all types of math.

“I find it easy to do and enjoyable. It makes me glad when I can figure out challenging questions,” Josh said. He added that math is important in more than just textbooks.

“Math is the basis for everything,” Josh said.

Wood explained why she feels the math competition is so important.

“So many kids say they hate math, but I think the main reason is they fear math,” she said. “We’re trying to reach out, letting them know it can be fun and if you work hard, it can be accomplished and come with great rewards.”