Join us in celebrating the people who make First in Math special.
An annual award given to the #1 Player First in Math player across all grades!
Eighth-grader Ao Kong has once again claimed the title of #1 Player, All Grades, in the First In Math® Online Program, making history as the first two-time winner with back-to-back victories in 2007-2008 and 2008-2009. A student at General George A. McCall Elementary in Philadelphia, she dominated the competition for months, earning an incredible 44,860 Stickers by the April 30 deadline. Opting for a unique honor instead of a second Apple iTouch, Kong received a crystal award for Extraordinary Mathematics Achievement. First In Math creator Robert Sun praises her perseverance, noting she solved approximately 135,000 math problems, including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry, to reach the top. A three-time National All-Star, Kong looks forward to attending Central High School in the fall.
Players
James O'Shea (PA) Valentino Papa (PA) Hannah Sonsalla (WI) Brian Xia (CA) Mark Stenske (PA) Caleb McCammon (MD) Jordan Sandy (MD) Alice Hu (PA) Ryan Dougherty (PA)
Team Leaders
Kevin Tomasic (PA) Jeffrey L. Kraner (OH) Sheri Galbreath (CA) Colleen Armor (PA) Lydia Laidlow (MD) Carol Lauck (PA) Neil Beitman (PA) Monica Patel (PA) Chris Sakers (MD)
Schools
Northmont ES (CA) St. Joseph the Worker (PA) AMY Northwest (PA) OLMBS School (PA) Paint Branch ES (MD) Calverton ES (MD) Evans Computer Mag. (PA) Anne Frank ES (PA) St. Pius X (PA) Manatee Bay ES (FL) Baldi Middle School (PA)
Top Educator Players
2009
A monthly award given to an educator who has been actively talking about math achievement on social media channels.
September
Grade 4 Teacher, Towne Meadow Elementary School Carmel Clay School District, Carmel, IN
2018
An annual award given to educators who exemplify Lola's spirit.
2025
A teacher at Clearview ES in the Bethlehem Area SD, Jeff Markham is the 2025 recipient of the Dr. Lola J. May Award. "I have always loved teaching math and First in Math is a great supplement to the curriculum. As I teach skills, students can work on that skill in class and at home with instant feedback. I wasn’t planning on playing this year, but two girls in my class started playing even before the first day of school. Their excitement motivated me to go for 10X Grand Champion status, which I achieved. You know that the program you are using is effective when both the students and the teacher motivate each other. I am very happy that my district uses First in Math"
Silver Medal
Bronze Medal
Dr. Lola J. May (1923-2007) was a noted mathematics educator, consultant, author and producer of audio-visual materials. A pioneer in mathematics education and an early proponent of the new math educational process, May was beloved by her students, and became a household name among mathematics educators.
