Friday, July 18, 2025
MANHATTAN – Math Kangaroo, a worldwide math competition taken by tens of thousands of students, has brought an award back to Beloit. Local 6th grade Beloit Elementary Student, Wakefield Fincham, has won the second best score in the state of Kansas for 6th graders, and the 48th best score in the nation for 6th graders.
Fincham has been part of the newly formed Kansas Futures Society this past school year. They practice STEAM skills, or science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics skills. The program was started by parent volunteer, Stephanie Porter, local math teacher Aimee Buckland, and K-State Post Rock District Office Agent Nora Rhoades to nurture and give extra focus on these skills, while also preparing for competitions, if the student so chooses.
Fincham was the only 6th grader from Beloit to take the test, but many Beloit students took the test for the first time this year. Several students took top 10 in the state in their respective grade.
On Friday, May 23, Fincham and his family traveled to Manhattan for an awards ceremony to recognize his math achievements. Only the top three in each grade in the state and the top 20 in each grade in the nation were recognized. There were nearly 5,000 6th graders who took the test nation-wide.
Wakefield is the son of B and Mandy Fincham. He will be attending Beloit Jr/Sr. High School next year as a 7th grader. Math Kangaroo’s mission is to help students love math.
