An Albany Middle School student was named the champion of the 8th-grade division of the National MathFest Competition in Birmingham, Ala., Saturday.

Nasir Rogers dominated the competition to walk away with a 20-inch tall MathFest Champions Cup. Nasir beat out other 8th-grade students from around the country.

To get to Birmingham, Nasir had to earn a spot by first placing in the Divisional, Regional and then State MathFest competitions. Throughout all of the competitions, including the National competition, Nasir only missed one question.

“Nasir has a gift and we’re proud and honored to count him among our students,” Albany Middle Principal Dr. Fred Polite said. “He’s a perfect example of the kind of academic success and scholarship that we strive for here at the Middle.”

The MathFest Event started in 2004 with students from one Georgia Elementary School that showed the impact of adding competitive academic events as a way to improve student motivation and achievement.  Although the test scores soared, this school developed a new hunger for math that led to the creation of an event that would grow to serve tens of thousands.

It’s part of the National School Improvement Association which is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping schools across the country.

Nasir was recognized by the Dougherty County Board of Education and Superintendent Kenneth Dyer during a board meeting Monday evening.