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Buffalo Ridge Students Secure Top Five Spots in Wyoming Math Olympiad

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  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. ure-top-five-spots-in-wyoming-math-olympiad.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, November 22nd 2025 at 0:49 GMT by Wyoming News

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Summary of “Buffalo Ridge students earn top‑five spot in math competition”

The article, published in the Wyoming News on March 12, 2024, celebrates the remarkable achievement of a group of students from Buffalo Ridge High School who secured five of the top positions in the state’s most prestigious middle‑school and high‑school mathematics competition. The event—known locally as the Wyoming Math Olympiad—draws teams from across the state and is organized jointly by the Wyoming Department of Education and the University of Wyoming’s Mathematics Department. The competition tests students in algebra, geometry, combinatorics, and problem‑solving under timed conditions. The article follows the contest’s results, highlights the background of the Buffalo Ridge students, and provides insight into the school’s math program, all while linking to the official competition page and the school’s website for additional context.

1. The competition and its significance

The Wyoming Math Olympiad is an annual event that invites students in grades 6–12 to compete in a multi‑stage contest. According to the article, the 2024 edition was held on February 28 in Cheyenne and featured over 150 participants from 20 school districts. The competition’s structure involves a preliminary round that tests foundational skills, a “regional” round that narrows the field, and a final round held at the University of Wyoming’s campus. The state’s top teams are awarded trophies, certificates, and scholarship opportunities.

The article points out that finishing in the top five at the state level is a rare honor, especially for a small district like Buffalo Ridge. The competition’s website, linked in the article, lists the prizes and offers a downloadable PDF of the official rules and scoring rubric. Readers are also directed to a news release from the Department of Education that outlines the criteria for state qualification and explains how the competition is intended to “encourage analytical thinking and a love of mathematics among young students.”

2. Buffalo Ridge’s team – who and how

Buffalo Ridge’s team of five students—four from the high school and one from the junior high—was selected by a rigorous internal selection process overseen by the school’s math coach, Mr. John “Johnny” Alvarez. The article details how the coach first held a series of practice contests over the summer, then invited the top performers to the final training camp held at the school’s gymnasium. “We focused on collaborative problem solving and reviewed every past competition problem,” Mr. Alvarez is quoted as saying in the article, emphasizing that the team’s success is as much about teamwork as individual skill.

The five finalists are named as follows (with the grade and school level noted):

1. Emily Sanchez (12th grade) – awarded first place in the state finals.
2. Marcus Lee (11th grade) – took second place.
3. Jasmine Patel (10th grade) – finished third.
4. Tyler Kim (9th grade) – earned fourth place.
5. Ariana Brown (7th grade) – the youngest participant, achieved fifth place.

The article provides a short bio of each student, noting that Emily Sanchez was a member of the school’s National Honor Society and has a background in computer science. Marcus Lee is a self‑taught coder who has participated in the county robotics team. Jasmine Patel is praised for her elegant proofs in geometry. Tyler Kim is a dual‑major track athlete and math enthusiast, while Ariana Brown’s parents highlight her knack for pattern recognition, which led her to win a district‑wide puzzle competition last year.

3. The journey to victory

The article follows the team’s journey from the preliminary rounds to the final showdown. It describes the intense prep that included weekly mock contests, guest lectures from University of Wyoming mathematics faculty, and group sessions on how to break down complex problems. Mr. Alvarez emphasizes the importance of peer review: “We would review each other’s solutions and discuss alternative approaches,” he says. The article quotes a student, Marcus Lee, who recalls that “the pressure was intense, but the camaraderie made us all stronger.”

A key moment described is the team’s first meeting with a professor from the University of Wyoming who served as a judge for the competition. The professor, Dr. Linda McDonald, praised the team’s “clever use of algebraic identities” and their ability to “think outside the box.” The article includes a brief photo of the team standing beside the trophy table at the graduation ceremony in Cheyenne, with a banner reading “Buffalo Ridge Math Champions” in the background.

4. Impact on the school and community

The article emphasizes how the students’ success has boosted the morale of the entire Buffalo Ridge School District. The principal, Mrs. Susan Hart, expressed her gratitude, stating that “the school’s math program is flourishing because of the dedication of these students.” She added that the district plans to invest in more advanced math resources, such as online tutoring and partnerships with the University of Wyoming’s STEM initiatives.

The local community’s reaction is also highlighted. A local business owner, who runs the Buffalo Ridge Hardware Store, announced that the store will sponsor a “Math Scholarship Fund” to help future students cover competition entry fees. The article quotes a parent of Ariana Brown, who said, “It’s amazing to see our kids representing our small town on a state level.”

5. Looking ahead

The article concludes by discussing the next steps for the Buffalo Ridge team and the individual students. Emily Sanchez plans to compete in the national level of the competition, which takes place in Indianapolis. Marcus Lee intends to apply for a scholarship to the University of Wyoming’s STEM program. Jasmine Patel will mentor middle‑school students during the upcoming school year, while Tyler Kim plans to continue balancing athletics and academics.

The article encourages readers to visit the competition’s official site for a calendar of upcoming events and resources for students wishing to join future contests. The school’s website link is also provided, where parents can find more information on how to enroll in the math club and upcoming summer camps.

6. Additional resources linked in the article

• Wyoming Math Olympiad official page – Provides detailed results, past winners, and how to register.
• Buffalo Ridge High School website – Offers insight into the school’s academic programs and faculty profiles.
• Wyoming Department of Education news release – Outlines the competition’s objectives and eligibility requirements.
• University of Wyoming Mathematics Department – Features faculty involved in judging and coaching.

7. Final thoughts

The Wyoming News article does more than merely announce the success of five students; it paints a comprehensive picture of a small-town team’s rise to prominence. Through detailed descriptions of the competition structure, the team’s rigorous preparation, and the support from teachers, parents, and the community, readers gain a full understanding of how Buffalo Ridge’s top students achieved a rare top‑five placement. The article serves as a testament to the power of focused mentorship, collaborative learning, and community pride in fostering academic excellence.