Pi contest at
Christ the King

3.1415926535897932 … on and on.
These same numbers and hundreds more will be running through the heads of many students at Christ the King Regional High School in Middle Village as they prepare for the “pi contest” that is being conducted for the next several weeks.
The contest is meant to test the ability of the students to memorize as many digits in the value of pi (the mathematical symbol relating to the area and a circumference of a circle) as possible, using cash prizes and even a scholarship as incentives.
According to Richard Hartman, executive assistant to the principal and a math teacher at the school, CTK had been having a pi contests for many years, but when he took over the program three years ago, they agreed to initiate larger prizes to motivate more students.
“Before we start the contest each year I go around to all the math classes, and I show them that memorizing pi to the 1,000 place can be done,” stated Hartman.
Cash prizes and a certificate of merit are awarded to the three students who memorize the most digits; the first place winner receiving $100, the second place winner taking home $50 and the third place winner being awarded with $25.
There is also a special grand prize for the student who memorizes all 1,000 digits. With the help of an anonymous donor, the student that does manage to memorize all the digits will be awarded a $10,000 scholarship, payable at the rate of $2,500 annually for four years after high school graduation to be used for either college, or for iving expenses. No one has been able win this prize yet.
The most a student has ever been able to memorize is 740 digits at last year’s competition.
Last year’s second place winner, Makita Ellis, now a junior at Christ the King, memorized 440 digits, but she is coming back to compete again,
“Hopefully I’ll win first place this time,” Ellis said. “So far I’m only up to 350 digits but I still have six more weeks to get ready.”
Ellis started competing in the pi contest her freshman year, where she also came in second place. “I wanted to see if I would be able to memorize all those numbers because when Hartman did it, he made it easy and really cool,” said Ellis.
The pi competition is currently underway and continues up until March 15.
“3.14 is what pi starts with so the contest should end on March 14, but it lands on a Sunday this year so we made it until the March 15. Everyone from freshmen to seniors are eligible to participate between now and then, and they can try as many times as they want to,” said Hartman. “It’s nice to see them clap when I walk in because they are excited over a math contest and not some rock star that walked into the room.”