Eigth grade students from Denny Middle School placed first overall in Seattle Public Schools Math Olympiad at the University of Washington yesterday, June 3, beating out dozens of area middle schools.

The winning students, selected from grades six through eight, were taught by Gary Lai.

For the past eight weeks, the students met after school at the C&P Coffee to study quadratic equations, calculate slopes, reduce
radicals and enjoy root beer.

"The kids have been working well together, it's a lot of team work," said Lai. "It’s a good group of kids with good work ethic."

Lai said that in the past he has struggled to get students excited about math, and hopes this competition will motivate them.

"I’m hoping that it will boost the moral around math in the school,” said Lai.

Parents are encouraged to email pictures of the competition to tips@robinsonnews.com.