UCS Math Competition + Friends = Fun

It all adds up to a great afternoon with friends for UCS elementary students who participated in the annual UCS Math Competition.

Nearly 200 fourth through sixth graders crowded the Havel Elementary gym recently to take part in the afterschool event.

"It's just fun," said Plumbrook sixth grader Arthur Jhon. "It doesn't matter if you win or lose."

The local competition mirrors the national Math Olympiad tournament, requiring students to complete higher-level math problems in individual and team competitions.

Approximately 30 teams took part in three different competitions, including a jeapordy-like tournament that rounded out the night. For organizers, the goal of the event was to have students do more than polish their math skills.

"We want the kids to have a good time while they are taking the challenges," said district math consultant Nicholas Kostrzeba.

And while the students said they agree the event is a great way to be with their friends, Plumbrook sixth-grade student Kristen Paternoster said there were also practical benefits to the competition.

"You use math every day in your life," she said.

Winners from this year's event were:

Individual Event:                            
David Suh (Beck A) – 1st Place
Arthur Jhon (Plumbrook A) – 2nd Place
Tyler West (Plumbrook A) – 3rd Place

Team Event:                                      
Messmore A – 1st Place                
Roman Germanski
Divya Seenivansan
Jackie Parke
Sriteja Malempati
Kamryn Davis

Beck A – 2nd Place                           
David Suh
Kaityln Proffitt
Mary Zylinski
Jacob Jensen
Logan McDill

Crissman A – 3rd Place                   
Alec Schmidt
Bethany Long
Jessica Czapla
Brooke Edward
Malaene Caldwell

Quiz Bowl Event:                             
Messmore A – 1st Place                
Roman Germanski
Divya Seenivansan
Jackie Parke
Sriteja Malempati
Kamryn Davis

Harvey – 2nd Place                           
Lauren Polly
Alea Confer
Jason Deal
Andrew Kleehanne
Ian Reynhout

Beck A – 3rd Place                            
David Suh
Kaityln Proffitt
Mary Zylinski
Jacob Jensen
Logan McDill

Overall Winners:                            
Messmore A – 1st Place                
Roman Germanski
Divya Seenivansan
Jackie Parke
Sriteja Malempati
Kamryn Davis

Beck A – 2nd Place                           
David Suh
Kaityln Proffitt
Mary Zylinski
Jacob Jensen
Logan McDill

Messmore B – 3rd Place                
Praveen Soundararajan
Aaminah Tabussum
Bailey Jacks
Jakub Jedrzajczak
Justin Picar