MathCounts Competition Showcases Livermore Math Students

From LVJUSD: Middle school students from throughout the city gathered at Granada High School on Saturday, January 12, 2019, for the 23rd Annual MathCounts competition, hosted by the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District (LVJUSD) and made possible through the support of the Livermore Valley Education Foundation (LVEF).

One hundred and forty-two students from seven Livermore schools showcased their mathematical skills and creativity. Participating schools were Christensen Middle School, East Avenue Middle School, Joe Michell K-8 School, Junction Avenue K-8 School, and Mendenhall Middle School from LVJUSD; as well as Livermore Valley Montessori School and Our Savior Lutheran School.

The first place team in the 6th Grade Division came from Mendenhall Middle School (MMS); with members Audrey Manley, Aarav Mehta, Ziad Mohammed, and Jason Wylde. Mendenhall Middle School’s team also took first place in the combined 7th/8th Grade Division. Yoav Feigenbaum, Liam Manley, Shunsuke Sakagami, and Prisha Sheth represented the MMS first-place team.

The top five scorers from 6th grade were given individual awards, as were the top ten scorers from the 7th and 8th grade division.

The event and the club represent a community effort to provide various avenues and activities for students to connect and to showcase their talents. “MathCounts provides a great opportunity for students to stretch their minds in mathematics because of the types of problem solving both during the competition as well as during their weekly MathCounts club meetings,” said Robyn Schlichter, Coordinator of MathCounts for LVJUSD.

Each LVJUSD school runs its own MathCounts club to foster a community of dedicated math students. The club provides a key foundation for STEM education - science, technology, engineering, and math. Volunteer coaches that include local scientists, mathematicians, community members, parents, and teachers lead the clubs. The weekly activities reinforce middle school math content, while providing opportunities for extended application of problem-solving skills.

“The earnestness and the creativity these students show while engaging in difficult problems is truly inspiring,” said Superintendent Kelly Bowers, Ed.D., who attended the event to cheer on the mathematicians. “I am grateful to the members of LVEF for their ongoing support in making this opportunity available to our students.”

Photo courtesy of LVJUSD