Kylie Zou at Journey Middle School qualifies for MATHCOUNT’s national tourney

MADISON – In state-level MATHCOUNTS competition on March 21, Kylie Zou placed in the top four individual scores (at second place). With this achievement, Kylie qualified to advance to Math-Counts national competition in Orlando, Fla.

Thirteen-year-old Kylie is a seventh-grader at Journey Middle School.

Kylie’s interest in math competitions started in middle school but she has enjoyed problem solving since childhood. “I like math because it feels like solving puzzles –there’s always a clear answer but many different ways to get there. It’s really satisfying when you finally figure out a challenging problem.”

MATHCOUNTS’ challenge motivated Kylie to improve. “My teacher, Mrs. Mrinal Joshi, and my family were very supportive, which encouraged me to keep practicing and pushing myself,” Kylie said.

Joshi teaches Math Team students in grades 6-8.

Joshi said Kylie’s work ethic in math is truly exceptional. “Kylie approaches every problem with determination, focus and a willingness to learn, never backing down from a challenge. Whether it’s practicing extra problems, asking thoughtful questions or helping classmates understand difficult concepts, Kylie consistently goes above and beyond.”

Kylie spent countless hours sharpening skills, tackling advanced problems and representing Journey with enthusiasm. Kylie inspires classmates and makes her a standout student, Joshi said. “I always remind my class that we’re a team, and a team only succeeds when everyone contributes. As their teacher, I can guide, support and provide the tools they need, but I cannot do the work for them.”

“When students put in their effort, stay committed and take responsibility for their learning, we truly succeed together. Kylie is a blessing to my team since she has ALL qualities of a perfect math team member. I’m so happy that I’ll have her in my class next year, too,” Joshi said.

Journey Principal Dr. Treva Stewart said, “Journey Middle School wishes Kylie the best of luck at the national competition and looks forward to celebrating this remarkable achievement.”

MATHCOUNTS Competition Series cultivates talent in the nation’s brightest young minds. Students from all 50 states participate. (mathcounts. org/about/our-story) MATHCOUNTS Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, provides programs for grades 6-8 to build confidence and improve attitudes about math and problem solving. More than 100,000 students participate annually. (mathcounts.org) The Competition Series has four levels:

• School — The top 14 students advance to local Chapter competitions.

• Chapter – Two teams advance to state competition, held in Montgomery this year.

• State — The top four students progress to Na- tional MathCounts Championship in Orlando, Fla. this year in May.

• National — With a second-place finish, Kylie qualified for the state team.

Competition problems can involve geometry. “One problem involved a 12-sided die shaped like two hexagonal pyramids stuck together,” Kylie said. “It asked how high the opposite face would be when it lands on one face. You had to think about the shape and use geometry to find the height.”

“It looked complicated at first but, once you broke it into simpler parts, it made sense. I like those kinds of problems because they feel like solving a puzzle,” Kylie said.

For state-level MATHCOUNTS, the major challenge was remaining calm under pressure, especially during the Countdown round, Kylie said. “Mrs. Joshi helped us by organizing group practice sessions and preparing practice materials. She always encouraged us to stay confident, focused and to trust our thinking.”

At Journey, Kylie is a member of National Junior Honor Society. Since age 5, she has swum with Madison Swimming Association and achieved Zone level.

At Horizon Elementary School, Kylie graduated as top student (highest GPA). In chess, she has won Alabama Elementary Champion (K-3), Co-Champion (K-5) and All-Girls Champion (K-6). A pianist, Kylie was All-State Winner.

Kylie’s father, Yang Zou, is a Scientist at Axometrics. Her mother, Dan Ke, works as Senior Manager of Design & Test Engineering at Futaba Corporation of America.

Kylie’s pastimes are swimming, playing piano and chess. “I also like playing video games with my family and friends, dancing, traveling, watching movies and painting.”

Kylie’s record is an incredible accomplishment. “For a new school, a student reaching the national stage is a powerful signal that programs are already making a meaningful impact,” Joshi said. “It shows what’s possible when students are given support, encouragement and opportunities to challenge themselves.”

“As Kylie heads to nationals, the entire school community is rallying behind her with encouragement and pride. Regardless of the outcome, this accomplishment will inspire other students to pursue their passions and aim high. This is just the beginning. We’re excited to see what the future holds — not just for Kylie, but for all our learners,” Joshi said.

“Beyond individual achievement, this milestone reflects Journey’s commitment to academic excellence and its mission to foster a love of learning,” Joshi said.