The dedication and hardwork of the Canutillo High School Math Team has added up to a large sum of success. Since 2013, the team has been on an upward trajectory taking top spots at area, regional and state competitions. This year has been no different.
“It's been another great year,” Rudy Medina, CHS math teacher and Math Team coach said.
“The two seniors we have now on the team saw the success we have had in past years and grabbed the baton and just started running with it.”
This year, the CHS Math Team competed at several local University Interscholastic League (UIL) mathematics competition meets and claimed first place in calculator applications and math at the city level competition that included 5A and 6A schools. Team individuals also placed first as well. Additionally, the team has swept the calculator applications category, placing first the entire year at all competitions.
The mighty team of six under and upperclassmen, put in a lot of time and follow the mantra of their coach who tells them constantly to “practice like a champion.” Medina says his underclassmen have grown fast in a hurry and everyone on the team has stepped up to the plate.
“They love the experience and when the last competition is over their senior year the emotions are high because they invested a lot in their team, school and community,” Medina shared. “They have learned a lot and have seen their progress from freshmen to seniors and they are grateful for the overall experience.”
Being part of the CHS Math Team has also helped all the members flourish socially and academically due to the strong commitment and work ethic instilled in them.
“The stuff that we study goes above and beyond the curriculum, together with all the practice that they do. It's great to see the impact it has on testing in general,” Medina said. “There is a timing to it so you practice to get quicker. It helps them out on PSATs and SATs. Overall the tangibles that you learn; how to be part of a team, how to work well with others are just a lot of benefits you get from being on the team.”
The CHS Math Team will be giving it all they got at the upcoming Texas Math and Science Coaches Association (TMSCA) state meet where they will come head to head with the nation’s top math teams and they are all up for the challenge.
“We have a really solid team. When we compete at TMSEA state we are going to be going up against other top notch schools but we are there with them. The difference at that point is whoever can execute,” Medina said. “We are proud to represent Canutillo and El Paso because when other schools get a chance to see El Paso they think of us. Since 2013 to now we have been the ones who have represented this region. We won TMSEA state in 2017, 2018 and 2019. We won state in 2018 and have had an individual state champion for UIL. We have had a lot of success. This is an overall blessing to be able to do this for our community.”