Mercy Varsity Math Team Extends Streak of 1st Place Finishes to Four Consecutive Years, Adapting to Changes Due to COVID-19

Girls, it turns out, can do math. Particularly Mercy Girls!

Shown above, left to right: Lucy Zajack; Tina Yan; Mrs. Dziatko; Mrs. Wellman; Councilwoman Meghan Carta. Mercy’s phenomenal Math Team earned its fourth consecutive first place finish in the Middlesex County Math League competition, which includes 11 high schools from throughout the county.

The back-to-back-to-back-to-back first place finishes have been earned alongside another distinction: Mercy has been the only all-girls team in the Middlesex County League since they began participating just five years ago.

At the June meeting of Middletown’s Common Council, Councilwoman and Mercy Alumna Meghan Carta ’07 sponsored a special resolution that was presented that evening. The resolution, now proudly displayed near the Main Office, highlights the team’s stand-out accomplishments. It reads, in part,

“Whereas, as the only all-female team in the league, Mercy’s Math Team is a relative newcomer to the competition, having begun participating in 2016, only 5 years ago. After earning 2nd place in 2016, the dedicated team is recognized statewide for its prestigious performance and its unprecedented 4th consecutive title; and

Whereas, despite the unchartered waters created by COVID-19 and remote competition, the Mercy Tigers rose to the challenge of digital competition and, as the saying goes, the rest is history;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Common Council of the City of Middletown: On behalf of the people of Middletown, we salute the Mercy High School Math Team and Coach Maureen Wellman as role models, especially for young women, who have proven the value of knowledge, determination, and team work as well as reminding us that math gives us infinite hope that every problem has a solution.”

The resolution honors the guidance provided by retired Math Department Chair Maureen Wellman ’71 and current Math Department Chair Janette Dziatko ’90, and the accomplishment of the 2020–2021 Math Team members.

Varsity Team Members: Calle Dennis, Isabel Kessler, Tina Yan, Alexia Fenteany, Karena Kulakowski, Helen Yang, Anna Gu, Yuka Tang, Lucy Zajack.

Junior Varsity Team Members: Marylyn Afoakwa Abrokwa, Kaitlyn Gilbert, Samantha Magro, Maura Cahill, Zoe Lim, Yuka Tang.

In addition, recognition was also given to individual award winners: • Highest Scoring Senior—Helen Yang, 2nd place • Highest Scoring Junior—Alexia Fenteany, 3rd place • Varsity Team High Scorer—Helen Yang • Junior Varsity Team High Scorer—Yuka Tang

Mercy’s Math Team has excelled consistently. Back in year one, the students earned second place in the large high school division. In only their second year, the 2017–18 academic year, they earned first place. And that feat has now been repeated in successive years.

The impressive results are built on a foundation of unrelenting dedication. Math Team members work diligently on practice packets that cover the topics that will be the focus of a particular meet. They also conduct a “mock meet,” usually the day before the meet.

In past years, the competition was held monthly at a host school, with multiple rounds of math questions at each monthly meet. Students are not permitted to use calculators. This year, schools were unable to travel to compete in-person, but gathered in competition nonetheless. Both the Junior Varsity and Varsity teams prepared for each meet with some students working remotely and others in-person, with everyone connected through Microsoft Teams.

Competitions were held simultaneously at each participating school, administered by coaches and then submitted digitally to be scored by the host team. As with everything this year, the competition season took a form difficult to imagine prior to the pandemic. The girl’s determination to not only participate but to excel—along with a great deal of patience—led the Mercy Math Team to a very rewarding season amidst a very challenging year, with Mercy Pride evident every step of the way.

Congratulations to the 2020-2021 Mercy Varsity and Junior Varsity Math Team members and mentors!

Mercy Legacy: Alumnae Mothers, Grandmothers with 2021 Graduates

Front Row: Paige Frederick, Emily McGuane, Amanda Marie Ross, Abigail Goff, Amanda Cosentino, Alexandra Cosentino, Kayla Finkle, Emily Babcock, Lila Cerritelli, Alyssa Rondinone, Kathleen Mathews.

Back Row: Elizabeth (Faraci) Frederick ’02; Elizabeth (Uhland) McGuane, Gwynedd Mercy Academy ’91; Christine Marie (Salafia) Ross ’83; Maureen (Kokoszka) Goff ’87; grandmother Annmarie (Garofalo) Marchese ’70; Maryellen (Marchese) Cosentino ’91; Mattea (Misenti) Finkle ’88; Christine (Jenelle) Babcock ’89; Linda (Bower) Cerritelli ’82; Marlo (Billings) Bish ’90; Patricia (Lynch) Mathews ’88.

Absent from photo: Makaley Connelly and mother Meghan Wrinn ’88; Isabel Kessler and grandmother Bonnie (Bergin) Thibudeau, Laurelton ’62; Kathryn Menard and mother Kristen (LaBella) Menard ’90; Grace Novak and mother Sage (Van Dyke) Novak ’92.