Eighth-grader Nicholas S. earned a 10th place award in the individual geometry round at the second Florida Association of Mu Alpha Theta competition of the year held at Suncoast Community High School on Feb. 2. Freshman Harold Schwartz also placed 11th in the individual Algebra 2 round and the Algebra 1 Team 2  placed fourth. Nicholas’s geometry teacher Annabelle Nery said she is proud of his win.

“Usually it is difficult for [West Shore] to place against the teams from bigger schools so it was a pleasant surprise,” she said. “When they announced his name, I think even he was surprised.”

Thirty-seven students competed against teams from 20 other schools. Schwartz said he was unsure of his chances of winning.

“I really had no idea how I did on the test. It was decently hard, but I answered 24 out of 30 questions,” he said. “Winning felt awesome, especially because [math teacher Sue] Orton gave me brownies.”

Schwartz and other students will compete at the final competition of the year at Seminole High School on March 16.

Editor’s note: Brevard Public Schools policy prohibits the inclusion of middle-schoolers’ last names on district websites.