Local Students Excel

In Math Competition

WEST NEWTON, MASS. — Sandy Hook resident Michael Chung was recently named champion of West Newton Boys’ School’s first annual Fessenden Pi Competition.

He recited 846 digits of pi, the infinite number equal to the circumference of any circle divided by its diameter, to his math class.

Michael said he used his fluency with the Korean language to memorize the numbers.

Math department head Jonathan Keen explained why he believed the value of memorization was so important.

“Studies show that memorization stimulates different parts of the brain, and that our brain works better when all the different parts are working well,” he said. “Also, it is important to challenge yourself.”

He noted that the 300 participants in the school’s middle and upper schools had certainly fulfilled that task.

Ninth grader Nat Proctor, also of Sandy Hook, was recognized as a finalist. “I had a great time,” he said. “I liked doing [the competition] because it is good for your brain to be challenged.”

The day was celebrated with more than 600 pies donated from Table Talk Pies, Incorporated of Worchester, Mass.