The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

17 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, May 6, 2009 Eastview girls are global stats experts By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF No matter which of a quartet of Eastview Public School students heads to South Africa -- they're all winners. That's because the Grade 8 girls were the top four Canadian students competing in the second phase of the International Statistical Literacy Competition. That left the four friends -- Amanda Ens, 14, Alysa Hyder, 13, Maddy Heys, 14 and Caitlin Drake, 13 -- competing against each other to see who will go to the next leg of the competition in South Africa. They were among 200 Canadian students who wrote the first phase in February 2008 and found out much later that they would "write" Phase II online. They did so in April -- at their Hixon Street public elementary school -- with University of Toronto Professor Alison Gibbs proctoring the exam. Last week, they found out that Ens had come out with the travel ticket to South Africa. "I was so shocked and excited when I found out that I was the one that won the competition. We all worked really hard on this and any one of us deserved it, and I am just so grateful to be the one who gets to have this amazing opportunity. This should be an unforgettable trip," said Ens. Professor Alison Gibbs from the University of Toronto who proctored the exam last week, said, "We were very impressed with the quality and maturity of the answers from all of the students." As they unwound after the two-hour exam last week -- reviewing everything from test questions to the chocolate chip cookies that were served during the test -- the four Eastview spoke to The Oakville Beaver about the experience. They were candid in that they knew they were competing against one another to move on. tle taken aback that their young daughter may be heading so far around the globe. It all began when Livingston Jeffrey asked the girls if they'd be interested in writing the exam as she knew they all had high math marks. "We'd all done one or two math competitions. They were always really fun so there was no reason to say no," said Ens. The students said the exam provides statistical data and it's up to the students to analyze and make sense of it. The students said writing the exam online seemed relaxing and since it doesn't affect final school marks, it's simply fun and a challenge. While they'd been honing their critical thinking skills, studying specifics was not required. The students stressed that the school system, in fact, focuses more on using information and working with it rather than memorizing information. And it's not all about math. By using statistics, graphs, analysis and a variety of other skills for analysis, it's not just about math. "I like it better, you have to think more about it," said Ens. For Ens, who now will compete in South Africa for a scholarship, she said, "It's great to have a chance to win something that can help your future." LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER ASK THE EXPERTS: Eastview students, in back, Caitlin Drake, left and Alysa Hyder and in front, Amanda Ens, left, and Maddy Heys competed against one another in Phase II of the International Statistical Literacy Competition. Ens came out on top. However, they each said it was easy because they were all friends. They expanded on the impact the extra-curricular activity has had on them. To say it is a boost to selfesteem is quite accurate. As they determine what percentage of student minds they represent in Canada, they calculate the numbers -- proving they know their stuff. They should. According to their teacher, Karen Livingston Jeffrey, or Miss LJ, as they call her, the four worked with Mary Townsend from StatsCan in Ottawa to prepare for the competition. These girls are in Grade 8 and they're stats queens. The International Statistical Literacy Competition -- whose final phase will see one of the Eastview students represent Canada and compete in Phase III in South Africa -- is a project of the International Statistical Institute, which was established in 1885 and is one of the oldest scientific associations operating in the modern world. "These girls competed against other Canadians to become the top four Canadians. We have been working closely with Mary Townsend from StatsCan in Ottawa to prepare for the competition," said Livingston Jeffrey. Now Ens will go to Durban, South Africa to compete in the International Competition in August. All of the Eastview girls admitted their families were both proud and a lit- Spring into summer. Take advantage of a 50% reduction in entrance fees at one of Ontario's finest athletic and social clubs. Offer available only until May 31st. Nestled on the water's edge in Oakville's harbour, the Oakville Club delivers a unique blend of sport and social engagements appealing to the kinetic lifestyle in a tranquil setting. Families discover a compass of generations and a place to forge new memories. Experience the modern elixir of active relaxation through a panoply of activities in an incomparable setting. Yachting Tennis, squash, badminton State-of-the-art fitness centre and studio Heated outdoor pool Summer camps Family activities Childcare Personal trainers Renowned racquet professionals Social events Award-winning chef Waterside patio dining Casual restaurant and dining-room Magnificent setting A Vision for the future GRAND . G Starting May 4th until May 11th tarting 380 Dundas Street East, Oakville Corner of Trafalgar and Dundas by Canadian Tire COME IN AND RECEIVE $35 Credit and a FREE wireless phone car charger on any new activation Act quickly and receive 50% off the regular entrance fee $7,000 IS NOW $3,500 Single $12,000 IS NOW $6,000 Couple 905.257.9941 Monday - Saturday Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. authorized dealer 56 Water Street, Oakville, Ontario L6J 2Y3 Contact Kalee Mah at 905.845.0231 ext. 207 or kmah@oakvilleclub.com www.oakvilleclub.com