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!
The 2025 #1 Player — All Grades — in the First In Math® Online Program is Florence Kim! As the top player, she earned more than 108,000 Stickers on her way to the First In Math National All Star award. Florence is currently enrolled in fourth grade at Southern Highlands Preparatory School, a Spring Education Group school located in Las Vegas, Nevada. As a third-grader she placed third in the 2024 National competition among all grades. "Florence is a remarkable young lady," explains First In Math creator Robert Sun. "Not only is she the #1 player in the nation among more than one million active students, but she did it as a 10X Grand Champion! Her accomplishments show tremendous focus, dedication, and strategic thinking skills. Florence has mastered the crucial ingredient for long-term success — joyous perseverance." Florence enjoys math — and of course solving math problems! To achieve her First in Math Championship goal, she decided to work on the website's multitude of math problems every day when she had extra time. She also loves reading, especially Harry Potter and Roald Dahl books, as well as snowboarding and figure skating. She hopes to compete in figure skating, with the Olympics as a possible future goal. The forward-thinking fourth-grader already has her sights set even farther into the future: she wants to be a surgeon!
Players
Florence Kim (NV) Aarush Kaithi (NJ) Samuel Lazarre (NJ) Manuel Platel (NY) Gaelle Alexandre (NY) Autumn Betham (PA)
Team Leaders
Brian Vallinino (NY) Stephanie Piccola (NJ) Timothy Bickhart (PA) Nicole Colarte (NY) Viviana Garcia (NY) Kimberly Henry (PA) Timothy Bickhart (PA) Tanya Fuller (NY) Meghan Pearce (PA) Francisco Gomez-Guerrero (NY)
Schools
Lime Kiln Elementary (NY) St. Francis Desales School (PA) Wedgwood Elementary School (NJ) Thomas Fitzwater Elementary (PA) Bridgeport Elementary (PA) Alexander II Magnet School (GA) Fort Washington Elementary (PA) Goodnoe Elementary School (PA) Jarrettown Elementary School (PA) Tracy Elementary School (PA)
Top Educator Players
Jeffrey Markham (PA) Mary Higgins (PA) Ashlene Quinn (PA) Brian Villinino (NY) Susan Costenbader (PA) Gregory Holzhauer (NY) Kathleen Foster (PA) Timroy Shaw (GA) Tracy Buttars (NY) Jennifer DiMarzo (OH)
2025
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.
2011
The 2010/2011 National competition saw Armor top her nearest competitor by more than 500 stickers. Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament School in Natrona Heights, PA has been home to Armor for many years. "My goal has always been to rid my classroom of the 'I hate math' syndrome. First in Math has helped me achieve that goal."
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.
