5th Grader Leads Team to Victory Published Dec. 11, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Monet Villacorte 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev., - -- A student from Lomie Heard Elementary School was the winner of the "Are you Smarter Than a 5th Grader" game show event hosted by the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the NASCAR Champion's Week Nov. 28. Maria Maisonet, a Lomie Heard Elementary School fifth grade student, competed alongside Brad Keselowski and Tony Stewart against five other 5th grade students who were each paired with two NASCAR drivers. "Maria was ecstatic when she won," said Aileen Maisonet, Maria's mother and an avid volunteer at Lomie Heard. "I was more nervous for her than she was for herself, but she didn't show it. She was calm and cool and thought it was a fun event for her to experience." Although the event was a fun experience for the students, it was also a great opportunity for them to learn about key subject matter that is taught in school. "In August we were approached by the Las Vegas Motor Speedway," said Kori Deal, Lomie Heard Elementary School principal. "They wanted to partner with the school for the game show with an emphasis on science specifically - with our fifth graders." "Maria and her classmates gained knowledge from the event," said Aileen. "Along with having fun in the competition, they learned about engineering, math and robotics from the NASCAR drivers there." As well as experiencing this event for the joy of learning and a little friendly competition, the 5th graders were able to put their resiliency and poise into practice. "We were so impressed with the kids," said Deal. "They were well-mannered, behaved and represented the military well." The event provided an unique opportunity to educate students outside the classroom. "The school is doing an awesome job teaching the children and getting them involved with the community to learn about the world around them," said Aileen.
