Memorial Middle School’s (MMS) MATHCOUNTS team secured first place at the Northwest Connecticut MATHCOUNTS Competition held at Pomperaug High School on Saturday, February 22, earning the opportunity to represent both their school and the region at the State Competition at Yale University on Saturday, March 1st - We are anxiously waiting those results!

The first-place MMS team included students Sathya Pedapudi, Gabriel Pessoa, Naser Chaudhry, and Alaina Hudach. In addition to the winning team, two other MMS students qualified for the state competition based on their individual performances: Ayana Chaudhary – 15th place (out of 61 competitors) and Ruth Salsbury – 17th place (out of 61 competitors). Rochambeau Middle School (RMS) will also be well represented, with two students qualifying individually for the state competition: Kaitlyn Jin – 3rd place (out of 61 competitors) and Kevin Petrenko – 6th place (out of 61 competitors).

Region 15’s Strong Showing

Out of 61 students competing in the regional event, eight students from Region 15 qualified for the state competition, Memorial Middle School placed first in the team competition, and four students placed in the top 20 individually, with Kaitlyn Jin ranking 3rd overall.

The Northwest CT MATHCOUNTS event was attended by over 100 people including 61 students from six different schools. Of the 61 competitors, 20 participated as team representatives, with only the top two teams advancing. Additionally, the top 25% of all remaining competitors earned individual spots at the state level, bringing the total number of advancing students to 21—eight of whom hail from Region 15.

Looking Ahead to Yale

The Region 15 students advancing to the state competition will now compete against top math students from across Connecticut, showcasing their problem-solving skills and mathematical talent on a larger stage on March 1.

The Region 15 MATHCOUNTS program is led by Jay Perez, Region 15 Instructional Math Coach; Grades 6-8, Rochambeau Middle School teacher Bridgette Henry; Memorial Middle School teacher Scott Southard; and parent volunteer Joe Salsbury. In addition, Mr. Salsbury serves as the Northwest Regional Math Coordinator for MATHCOUNTS, bringing the competition home to Region 15 this year, Advisor for the Longmeadow Elementary School Pilot Math Club of approximately 20 - 25 students, co-advisor for the Memorial Middle School Math Club, and advisor for the PHS Math Team. 

Congratulations to all the students, coaches, and families for their hard work and dedication. Best of luck to our Region 15 students as they compete at Yale!

PHOTO (2025 MATHCOUNTS at PHS)

Back Row (From Memorial Middle School L-R): Naser Chaudhry, Akul Timaul, Gabriel Pessoa, Anthony Buchsbaum, Katherine Parkhurst, Alaina Hudach; (From Rochambeau Middle School, L-R) Kevin Petrenko, Kaiden Taveras, Jackson Keane, Jaxson Taveras

Front Row (From Memorial Middle School, L-R): Sathya Pedapudi, Taehun Kim, Anika Kolloju, Ruth Salsbury, Ayana Chaudhary; (From Rochambeau Middle School L-R) Kaylee Dobson, Paige Rouen, Lauren Vossbrink, Sofia DiCello, Kaitlyn Jin

Not pictured from MMS are Andrew Lame and Vivaan Nalla.

Mr Joe Salsbury (Northwest Regional Math Coordinator for Mathcounts) welcomes the Mathletes, coaches families and guests at Pomperaug High School.