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On Saturday, May 13, 2023, the La Cañada Spartans hosted their annual Aleph Mathematics Competition. The Tiger Cubs of South Pasadena Middle School (SPMS) topped 29 teams from seven other middle schools, including Arcadia, San Marino, Burbank, and La Cañada.
In the team category, the 8th grade team of Jerry Zhang, Zoe Chen, and Kimy Zhang took first place. The 7th grade team of Brett Chang, Brendan Chew, Cassidy Lee, and Spincer Wang captured second place.
Individually, Brett Chang ran the tables, taking first in all three categories: Speed Round, Problem Solving, and Buzzer Round. In addition to Chang, the following SPMS students excelled:
-Batia Lou, 3rd place Speed Round
-Patrik Wong, 6th place Speed Round; 6th place Problem Solving; top 8 Buzzer Round
-Kimy Zhang, 7th place Speed Round; 7th place Problem Solving; top 8 Buzzer Round
-Zoe Chen, 10th place Speed Round, 3rd place Problem Solving; top 4 Buzzer Round
-Cadence Ni, 9th place Problem Solving
-Noah Kim, 10th place Problem Solving
SPMS 8th grader Jerry Zhang challenged himself in the final event of the year and competed in the high school division. Zhang placed 2nd in the Speed Round, 5th in Problem Solving, and 2nd in the Buzzer Round.
The SPMS math team completed an absolutely brilliant year with several results arriving in the past month. In the Purple Comet Math League, sponsored by the University of Wisconsin, the team of Brett Chang, Zoe Chen, Will Schwartz, Itusi Yoshioka, Jerry Zhang and Kimy Zhang ranked 12th out of 1253 schools internationally. They were 8th out of 301 schools in the U.S. and 1st in California among 30 schools.
In the Sigma Math League the combined scores of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade resulted in SPMS taking first in the nation. Individually, the following students were awarded Gold pins for excellence: 6th graders Ember Estridge, Joshua Huang, Patrik Wong; 7th grader Brett Chang.
Sigma Math League Silver awards went to 6th graders Kimi Fong, Hannah Kang, 7th graders Brendan Chew, Cassidy Lee, Alec Nudo and 8th graders Daxton Brown, Zoe Chen, and Jerry Zhang. Bronze pins were awarded to 7th graders Deborah Chong, Alan Liu, and 8th grader Abigail Kim.
The team is coached by SPMS teachers Eric Aispuro, Katy Chen, and Allyson Wong. Parents Tracey Ho and Jenny Li have given outstanding help in coordinating the many math activities this school year.
