In a thrilling display of academic excellence, over 60 of the brightest high school math students from across the Peoria Unified School District gathered at the District Administration Center for the inaugural Mathletes competition last spring. Representing Centennial, Ironwood, Liberty, Peoria and Raymond S. Kellis high schools, these students had already proven their prowess at their respective campuses to earn a coveted spot in the district-wide competition.
Math Madness is a full-day celebration of mathematical mastery, testing students on everything from algebraic fundamentals to the complexities of calculus. The competition is divided into two sessions: an individual challenge in the morning and a collaborative team round in the afternoon.
This new competition, spotlighting dozens of mathletes, marks a significant milestone for the Peoria Unified School District and makes it the first in the Valley to host a district-wide academic contest focused solely on mathematics.
The event is designed to mirror the district’s long-standing Spelling Bee and Patriotic Speech contests, offering math-inclined students a platform to shine.
Deputy Superintendent of Educational Services, Dr. Teresa Hernandez, praised the event’s success and the dedication of everyone involved. “Mathletes is an incredible opportunity for our students to showcase their skills and all their knowledge in mathematics. It is amazing to see our students achieve in this way, and I am thankful to our team who put this together,” shared Peoria Unified’s Deputy Superintendent of Educational Services, Dr. Teresa Hernandez.
The inaugural morning session was all about individual brilliance. Students competed within their grade levels, solving a series of rigorous problems designed to stretch their logical reasoning and numerical fluency. The top three performers in each grade were recognized for their outstanding achievements.
Seniors
First, Hunter Kadisak, Liberty
Second, Max Cates, Centennial
Third, Daniel Wirt, Ironwood
Juniors
First, Theo Benavidez, Ironwood
Second, Jacob Sajan, Centennial
Third, Jackson McLean, Liberty
Sophomores
First, Marc Matoza, Liberty
Second, Benjamin Tran, Ironwood
Third, Santiago Posso, Peoria
Freshmen
First, Eldad Solomon, Ironwood
Second, Scott Sinex, Liberty
Third, Kaden Cook, Ironwood
These students not only earned individual accolades but also contributed valuable points to their school’s overall team score.
In the afternoon, the competition shifted gears as students joined forces in school-based teams to tackle complex, multi-step mathematical puzzles. The problems required not just knowledge, but collaboration, communication and strategic thinking.
Ironwood High School emerged as the undisputed champion, clinching the district trophy in a commanding performance. Their victory was the result of a well-coordinated effort led by math teacher Mr. Rob Shannon, whose guidance and mentorship were instrumental in the team’s success.
Ironwood’s winning team included:
Seniors: Daniel Wirt, Richard Lau, Sasha Tijore
Juniors: Jadyn Beach, James VanGoethem, Nicolas Somoshegyi-Szokol, Sophia Tijore, Theo Benavidez
Sophomores: Benjamin Tran, Ethan Ignacio
Freshmen: Anthony Fernau, Eldad Solomon, Kaden Cook, Logan Thomas
Their teamwork and problem-solving skills set a high bar for future competitions.
With its enthusiastic reception and high level of competition, Mathletes is poised to become a staple in the district’s academic calendar. The event not only celebrates mathematical talent but also fosters a sense of community and academic pride among students, teachers and families. “The Inaugural Math Madness competition was a resounding success,” Mary Carlson, Math Content Coach, said. “Students were smiling and excited about an all-day math event, and many said they cannot wait to come back next year.”
These mathletes aren’t the only ones winning across the district. Thanks to new math textbooks and resources, all Peoria Unified students now have updated curriculum to enhance learning. In 2023, the Governing Board voted to approve Savvas Learning for K-8 math, as well as Bedford Freeman & Worth for statistics, and Cengage Learning for financial algebra and college algebra.
Through this process, students, all Peoria Unified teachers, parents, and the community had an opportunity to provide feedback to the Textbook Advisory Committee and review materials through a 60-day review period. Also, the Textbook Advisory Committee, comprised of teachers, coaches, specialists, and administrators with different backgrounds and expertise, reviewed the textbooks and provided recommendations based on the Method of Approach.
As the final equations were solved and the trophies awarded to this year’s Mathletes, one thing was clear: the future of mathematics in Peoria Unified is bright and filled with truly exceptional young minds.
If you have questions regarding what students learn in mathematics, please visit www.peoriaunified.org/curriculum.
Read the complete fall edition of unifiED at www.peoriaunified.org/unified.