Elmhurst Students Recite Hundreds of Digits on National Pi Day

Ruth Mathew, a third-grade student at Hawthorne Elementary School in Elmhurst, recited 261 digits of Pi in the school's third annual Pi Recital on Friday, according to a District 205 press release. 

At Bryan Middle School, student Donovan Deany broke the Bryan school record set in 2010 by reciting 412 digits during Friday's competition. 

The recitals were held on National Pi Day, which celebrates Pi — or 3.1415926535 … — which is an irrational number, meaning it has no pattern, no end and never repeats. Pi is a mathematical constant that students use in formulas, such as area and circumference of circles, according to the District 205 news release. 

This year, 92 third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students participated in Hawthorne Elementary School’s third annual Pi Recital. Mathew, the winner of this year's recital, said she memorized 36 digits each day for a few weeks to help her achieve her recital of 261 digits on Friday. 

Other top reciters included: third graders Liam Jordan (137), Annie Do (85), Connor Hess (66) and Simon Redfearn (62); fourth graders Tate Milefchik (76) and Noah Jonkman (62); and fifth graders Ellie Casey (137), Aiden Milefchik (133), Tom Kunst (110), Rocco Picone (91), Katherine Kempker (61), Amaya Rufus (61) and Michael Belletire (61). Pi Day activities at Hawthorne are coordinated by REACH teacher Geri Sorrentino.

Friday marked the seventh annual Pi Reciting competition at Bryan Middle School. Students worked very hard memorizing digits of pi. 

The top reciters in each grade level are:

• 6th grade: JD Devine (166), Ruby Schwan (193), and in first place, Demi Adeniji (200 digits)

• 7th grade: Bridget Lindgren (205), Ciara Mulcahy (253), and in first place, Donovan Deany (412 digits)
• 8th grade: Neil Wary (55), Eric Doberstein (96), and in first place, Maria Carlson (107 digits) 

In addition, students had the opportunity to participate in a Pi Poster competition. Many students showed their creativity and originality by making posters. The following students at each grade level won Bryan’s poster competition:

• 6th grade: James Sampson, Mia Sherman and in first place, Aleksina Jovic
• 7th grade: Libby Wagner, Lily Kraus and in first place, Noelle Pedote
• 8th grade: Dylan Foley, Maya Langenecker and in first place, Nicole Taylor

Credit: Elmhurst District 205 press release