Palos 118 Students Add Up Wins at 2025 South Cook Math Bowl

Palos School District 118 took home several team and individual awards at the 2025 South Cook Math Bowl which was held at Prairie State College in May.

On day one of the event, the fifth/sixth grade team of Kevin Kaufmann, Marshall Pizur, Robert Fala, and Nathan Bhojraj took first place in the team competition. Kevin Kaufmann took first place in the fifth-grade individual competition, Nathan Bhojraj took second place, and Robert Fala came in third in the sixth-grade individual competition.

The seventh/eighth grade team, which included Mohammad Abdelhamid, Brian Kaufmann, John Maka, and Weston Cechowski, took fourth place in the team competition. Mohammad Abdelhamid took fifth place, and Brian Kaufmann was sixth in the seventh-grade individual competition. John Maka took fourth place in the eighth-grade individual competition.

Palos South Eighth grade math teacher Gina Marek commended the students on their practice and preparation before the competition.

“The kids worked so hard,” she said, adding, “I’m so proud of them!”

On day two, the first/second grade team of Vladyslav Burakov, Vinny Cryns, Christian Bobrowski, and Drew Byrdak took fifth place in the team competition. Christian Bobrowski took second place in the first-grade individual competition and Vladyslav Burakov took fifth place in the second-grade individual competition. The third/fourth Grade team of Olivia Karnatka, Jacob Dubrowski, Charlie O'Malley, and Olivia Scheetz took second place in the team competition and Charlie O'Malley took second place in the fourth-grade individual competition.

The coaches said that the event gives students a chance to take part in a rigorous competition where they can display the depth of their math knowledge.

Julie McNamara, who teaches Accelerated Learning for Students (ALPS) at Palos East said that the competition pushes students to tackle math problems beyond their grade level with confidence.

“I'm incredibly proud of the Palos 118 team and how they performed,” she said, pointing to their growth as mathematicians as well as how they communicated, strategized, and supported their team.

Palos East fourth grade teacher Meg Fanello said that students were excited to compete and that the event “is an amazing opportunity for our students to participate in a challenging and fun competition.”

“Our Palos 118 families and teachers laid a solid foundation for us to help the participants prepare for competition,” said Palos East third grade teacher Tim Pritchard.

Photo 1 (5th - 8th grade teams): left to right: John Maka, Mohammad Abdelhamid, Weston Cechowski, Brian Kaufmann, Kevin Kaufmann, Marshall Pizur, Nathan Bhojraj, and Robert Fala.

Photo 2 (1st - 4th grade teams): Top row (left to right): Third/Fourth grade team: Olivia Karnatka, Olivia Scheetz, Charlie O'Malley, Jacob Dubrowski, and Coach Meg Fanello. Bottom row: 1st and 2nd grade team: Coach Julie McNamara, Vladyslav Burakov, Vinny Cryns, Christian Bobrowski and Drew Byrdak.

This year’s Palos 118 Math Bowl team members included:

First/Second Grade Team

Vladyslav Burakov

Vinny Cryns

Christian Bobrowski

Drew Byrdak

Third/Fourth Grade Team

Olivia Karnatka

Jacob Dubrowski

Charlie O'Malley

Olivia Scheetz

Fifth/Sixth Grade Team

Kevin Kaufmann

Marshall Pizur

Robert Fala

Nathan Bhojraj

Seventh/Eighth Grade Team

Mohammad Abdelhamid

Brian Kaufmann

John Maka

Weston Cechowski

Coaches

Tim Pritchard

Meg Fanello

Julie McNamara

Gina Marek