Math Whizzes Vying for the Top Honors

Middle school math whizzes will put their addition and multiplication skills to the test in the San Fernando Valley and Canyon Country chapter round of the 15th annual MathCounts competition at Cal State Northridge on Saturday.

Sponsored and organized by the San Fernando Valley chapter of the California Society of Professional Engineers, the chapter round features 36 students from nine schools vying for team and individual honors, said Norman Baron, the Valley coordinator for MathCounts, a national program for seventh- and eight-graders designed to promote achievement in mathematics.

Last year, Walter Reed Middle School of North Hollywood won the chapter round and went on to win the state team competition, Baron said.

“Walter Reed may win again because they are a highly gifted magnet that draws from the best of the city,” Baron said.

Portola Middle School of Tarzana also competed in the state finals after placing second in the chapter round.

Walter Reed and Portola are scheduled to compete Saturday along with three area schools: John Muir Junior High School of Burbank, St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School of Reseda and the Buckley School of Sherman Oaks.

Placerita Junior High School, Sierra Vista Junior High School, Arroyo Seco Junior High School and La Mesa Junior High School, all of Santa Clarita, round out the field of nine.

The top two teams and the top four students from other competing schools of the chapter round will advance to the state finals of MathCounts, scheduled for March 14 at UC Irvine.

The top four individuals from the state finals will be selected for the California team which will compete in the national finals to be held in May in Washington, D.C., Baron said.

Last year, the California team placed third in the nation.

Saturday’s event will take place at 9 a.m. in the Northridge Center Room of the University Student Union.