Shrine Academy students rank best in Midwest for math

Shrine Catholic Academy 6th graders took first place in the Midwest Region of the Catholic Math League May 12, 2025. 

The Academy 6th graders took second place in the U.S. in the competition against other students from Catholic schools across the country, finishing behind only St. Junipero Serra Catholic School in California. Shrine 7th graders were third in the Midwest and 21st in the country, and Shrine 8th graders were fourth in the Midwest and 29th overall.

The national math competition involves four 30-minute tests, and students are not allowed to use a calculator. 

Shrine students individually also soared to the top of the charts, nationally and regionally, including 6th grader Elizabeth Lanfear, who took second in the country and first in the Midwest.

“I am proud to say that we have a Math Department that values each and every student meeting the curriculum standards with lessons and routines,” said Shrine Catholic Academy Principal James Mio. “The teachers communicate with each other about challenges, set very high expectations, and show the students that when the bell rings, mathematics will be on your mind.  This is not to say they don't have fun in math class, but the teachers use multiple resources to allow students to show what they know, still reaching a common goal of understanding mathematical functions and applying them. Put simply, it is the teaching language and relationships our educators follow that keeps all of the students engaged.”

Mio also congratulated Academy math teachers Stefanie Murphy and Donna Robinson. 

Many of the Academy students have been learning math at Shrine for more than seven years, starting in the preschool program.

6th Grade

1st in Division 7 (Midwest Region) and National Runner-Up (2nd Place).

Elizabeth Lanfear — 1st for Shrine, 1st in Division 7 (Midwest Region), National Runner-Up (2nd Place).

Anthony Pomposelli — 2nd for Shrine, 3rd in Division 7 (Midwest Region), 9th in the U.S.

Katherine Bates — Tied for 3rd place for Shrine, 5th in Division 7 (Midwest Region).

Vivienne Bingham — Tied for 3rd place for Shrine, 5th in Division 7 (Midwest Region).

Elle Groom — Tied for 3rd place for Shrine, 5th in Division 7 (Midwest Region).

7th Grade

3rd in Division 5 (Midwest Region) and 21st overall.

Colin Tulley — 1st for Shrine, 7th in Division 5 (Midwest Region) and 53rd in the nation.

Liam Hattermann — 2nd for Shrine and 18th in Division 5 (Midwest Region).

Reese Nehme — Tied for 3rd place for Shrine and 18th in Division 5 (Midwest Region).

Evelyn Nagrant — Tied for 3rd place for Shrine and 18th in Division 5 (Midwest Region).

8th Grade 

Shrine Catholic Academy Algebra 1 Students placed 4th in Division 6 (Midwest Region) and 29th overall.

Three students, Audrey McGavin, Abby Tarsavage and Jack Paisley tied for 1st place for Shrine and 13th in Division 6 (Midwest Region).