Several Woodlands Mathcats ICTM State Finals-bound

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart's first-ever participation in the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics' (ICTM) annual contest added up to multiple successes. The Mathcats placed second overall in Division 1A at the 2018 ICTM Region 20 Competition held at Niles West High School in Skokie Feb. 24.

Based on this performance, Woodlands Academy's Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Frosh/Soph 8-Person and Frosh/Soph 2-Person teams have advanced to the May 5 State Finals at the University of Illinois/Urbana Champaign.

Second-place team honors in both the Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 contests were won by Mathcats from the all-girls college prep day-and-boarding high school in Lake Forest. These awards are determined by totaling the top four scores achieved by a school's participants competing as individuals in each event, requiring students to solve 20 problems in 50 minutes.

Leading the way for Woodlands Academy at the Niles West regional were first-place finishers: freshman Ingrid Hu in three events, sophomore Kitty Lu in two events, and freshmen Hanna Bryce, Stephanie Harpold and Natalie Williams in one event.

Head of School Meg Steele was understandably pleased. "I'm so proud of our students' outstanding accomplishments and of the leadership provided by Math Club moderator Dr. Mihaela Marcusanu resulting in this stunningly successful debut at the ICTM Regional Math Competition," she said.

Woodlands Academy Assistant Principal Rocco Gargiulo - who also teaches some math classes - adds, "This wonderful news really confirms Woodlands Academy's commitment to STEM fields as well as the dedication of Dr. Marcusanu and our entire math department to teaching and leading our outstanding girls along the way to becoming empowered young women."

While Woodlands has participated in other math contests in the past, Marcusanu decided it was time to "up the game" a bit. "We chose ICTM this year because of the variety of subjects and of the skills within one subject that it provides," she said. "Plus it allows students to mingle with - and compete alongside - students from other areas, but with similar mindset and interests."

According to organizers, the purpose of the ICTM State Math Contest is to recognize outstanding mathematical achievement, encourage independent study, stimulate interest in mathematics, and provide a wholesome meeting ground for students and teachers of mathematics through academic competition. It's been an annual event since 1980.

Founded in 1858, Woodlands Academy is an independent Catholic college preparatory day and boarding high school for young women. It's part of a worldwide network of Sacred Heart Schools that spans the United States and 40 other countries. A nonprofit, Woodlands Academy's identity is rooted in Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat's desire to inspire young hearts and minds to excel, to lead lives of integrity and to serve. For more information about Woodlands Academy, please visit www.woodlandsacademy.org