Henry E. Lackey High School’s math team captured first place in the Charles County Public Schools High School Math Team Competition for the 2025-2026 school year.
The Lackey A team finished the five-month season with 145 points, edging out Maurice J. McDonough High School’s McDonough A team by a single point for the overall title. Competition results were announced this week on the Charles County Public Schools website.
Seniors Peyton Lewis, C.J. Rodriguez, Donovan Smith and Kellese Waymer joined junior Nyomi Pledger on the winning squad. Joanna Olson, a math teacher at Lackey, served as the team sponsor.
The virtual monthly contests ran from October through February. Each high school fielded teams of five students, with many schools supporting multiple squads. Monthly events featured three rounds: individual problem-solving, a relay segment and a team challenge. Points accumulated across the rounds and months determined both monthly winners and the season-long champion.
Final standings for the top five teams showed a tight race at the top:
- Lackey A from Henry E. Lackey High School placed first with 145 points.
- McDonough A from Maurice J. McDonough High School took second with 144 points.
- La Plata A from La Plata High School earned third with 118 points.
- Westlake A from Westlake High School finished fourth with 114 points.
- St. Charles A from St. Charles High School rounded out the top five with 100 points.
Teams included students from varying grade levels and math skill sets, allowing broader participation. The format encouraged both independent work and collaboration.
Charles County Public Schools officials noted the competition provides a valuable outlet for students interested in mathematics. Students who want to join a team for the 2026-2027 school year can speak with their math teacher for more information.
The narrow margin between first and second place underscored the competitive level across the county’s seven high schools. Lackey’s victory marks a strong showing for the school in this annual academic challenge.
This year’s results reverse the 2024-2025 outcome, when a McDonough team claimed the top spot. The consistent participation from all Charles County high schools highlights ongoing student engagement in math enrichment activities within Southern Maryland public schools.
