PREVIEW: Manchester Charter students headed to national academic competition

By Sean P. Ray | Managing Editor

MANCHESTER — Manchester Academic Charter School (MACS) is sending four of its students to the Academic Games National Tournament, a competition held in Washington, D.C., in which students compete in a variety of educational games in pursuit of a coveted “Thinker Trophy.”

MACS’ delegation to the competition consists of two middle schoolers, Aniysia Todd and Rayzerra Best, and two elementary schoolers, Xaria Johnson and Indigo Joseph.

“I have been coaching Academic Games for 13 years, and it’s an incredible honor to see our students rise to the challenge year after year,” said Rae Lynn Melnyk, Academic Games Coach for MACS, in a prepared statement. “Qualifying for Nationals each season is a testament to their dedication, critical thinking, and teamwork.”

The students qualify to attend by ranking among the highest scorers at local versions of the competition. MACS competes in the Western Pennsylvania Academic Games League, which will send 125 students and 17 coaches from across 10 different schools to the National Competition. While the students compete individually at the local games, those from the same league will work together in D.C.

Check out the April edition of The Northside Chronicle for the complete story.