The PIERCE_1 team from Pierce Junior High School achieved an important distinction, earning 4th place in the Junior High School category of the 9th Panhellenic Statistics Competition (2026). The competition was organized by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) in cooperation with Eurostat, while the official awards ceremony took place on June 19, 2026.

Valeria Anagnostopoulou, Malvina Fountana, and Dimitrios Folas stood out for their analytical and critical thinking, data-processing skills, and effective teamwork, successfully completing a demanding competition process.

A total of 1,198 students from 92 schools, forming 459 teams, participated in this year’s competition. The competition consisted of two stages: first, three online tests covering basic statistical knowledge, the search for official data, and the interpretation of graphs; and second, the preparation of a statistical study involving the analysis of real data and the presentation of results.

PIERCE_1 was one of 75 Junior High School teams that advanced to the second stage. Thanks to the quality of its analysis, the clarity of its presentation, and the well-supported nature of its conclusions, the team ultimately secured 4th place nationwide.

This achievement highlights the value of teamwork and statistical thinking: the ability to ask questions, examine data, and better understand the world around us.

Warm congratulations to Valeria, Malvina, and Dimitrios for their perseverance, teamwork, and outstanding achievement!