Math-A-Thon winners at the Middle School with teachers, from left:Dr. Natali, Ms. Andrews, Ms. Orrego, Ms. Schwartz and Ms. Nardone Sixth-grade students at the Garden City Middle School recently participated in the 3 rd annual Math-A-thon to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Math-A-Thon, now in its 28 th year, is an educationally based fund-raising program in which students obtain sponsors for the number of math problems completed in special workbooks provided for the students.

On May 4 th an awards assembly was held. A certificate was awarded to all who participated. students who raised $35 received a T-shirt and a free pass to six Flags Great Adventure, a national sponsor. Those who raised over $75 received a tote bag in addition to the previous awards. Nick DeSarno, who solicited $5,698.50 was awarded a digital camera as top fund-raiser. The students raised $48,580.38 in total!

The top fund-raiser in Mrs. Schaefer's class was Christopher Keating with $271.

Mrs. Orrego, Mrs. Corcoran & Mr. Hakes' team raised $6,390. The top fund-raiser was James Isenberg with $1,344. who received a digital camera.

Mrs. Nardone, Mrs. Olsen & Mrs. Rumbleow's team raised $7,217. the top fund-raiser was Ryan Williams who raised $470 and received a digital camera.

Dr. Natali, Mrs. Fusci and Mrs. Shea's team raised $9,932. The top fund-raisers were Bethany DeStefano with $1,420 (MP3 player), Michael Mirabella with $1,243 (digital camera), and Alex Michielini raising $1,128 (digital camera)

Mrs. Schwartz, Mrs. Lundwald & Mrs. Egan's team raised $11,009. The top fund-raisers were: John Santucci with $2,550 (MP3 player), Sean Bingham with $1,230 (MP3 player), Eugene (Digital camera) and Patric Berkery (MP3 player) each with $665.

Mrs. Andrews, Mrs. Petro & Mrs. Reide's team raised $13,607. The top fund-raisers were Michael Gamardella with $704.10, who received a digital camera, and the top fund-raiser for the whole sixth grade, Nick DeSarno, who raised $5,698.50!

The students who participate in the program learn to do more than just math problems; they also learn the importance of helping children who are less fortunate than themselves. through the Math-A-Thon, they are able to help provide a future for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Children with more than 200 forms of cancer and other catastrophic diseases find hope at St. Jude. Since its founding in 1962 by the later entertainer, Danny Thomas, the survival rates for most forms of pediatric cancer have risen dramatically. In fact, today more than 70% of all children with cancer will survive their bout with the disease. St. Jude fully credits these successes in treatment to the generous support of people around the world, including the students at the Garden City Middle School.

"We are very proud of our students for working so hard on the Math-A-Thon," said Dr. Michele Natali, sixth-grade math teacher and Math-A-Thon at the Middle School. "With their help, St. Jude Hospital will be able to create new treatments that may one day lead to a cure for many forms of cancer. I also want to extend our thanks to the Garden City community for supporting our students. It takes all of us to make a difference in the lives of children with cancer, and we can all feel proud of our response."