MANCHESTER – The Derryfield School Math Team emerged victorious at the state NH-SMASH competition on March 15 at Plymouth State University. Coach Harley Chang said, "it was a glorious day for the DS Math Team as we edged out nine other schools to become the Small Division (Division IV) State Champions! It seemed unlikely after the team round, which came first, put us squarely in the middle of the pack, but an absolutely amazing essay round put us back on the map."

Ultimately, Derryfield ended the competition ahead of the rest, with 212 points to second place’s 175 and third place’s 155. Mr. Chang adds "Amery Jiang scored 32 points on her own (perfect score is 36) and tied with 4 others across the divisions for a first place individual award. Zach Levell, Shuting Zhang and Kate Jiang were part of a large group of 26 students who received second place awards." The team placed second at the regional NH-SMASH competition on March 2.

The NH-SMASH (New Hampshire Southern Mathematics Association of Senior Highs) league consists of five meets. The Derryfield math team consistently performed well at these competitions of math aficionados in thinking and computing. The contest is represented by twenty-one schools split into three divisions of seven schools.

Each competitor chooses three of five topics and the high total points wins. Led by captains, seniors Margaret and Zach Levell, other members of the team that competed for the second place win included: seniors Amery Jiang, Angela Xu, Shuting Zhang, and sophomores Crystal Xie (of Bedford), Kate Jiang,Selina Zhu and freshman Colin Lawless. Those competing in the State meet were: Seniors Amery Jiang, Margaret and Zach Levell, Angela Xu and Shuting Zhang, junior Jack Miron (of Bedford), and sophomores Kate Jiang and Selina Zhu and freshman Colin Lawless.