By Kyle Coppola
Montverde Academy Takes Top Honors at Mathlympics
LEESBURG, Fla. – Lake-Sumter State College welcomed top math students from across Lake and Sumter counties on Friday for the 38th annual Mathlympics competition, an event that drew 27 teams from 13 local high schools for a fast-paced academic challenge.
Each team was given 60 minutes to solve 40 complex questions, ranging up to pre-calculus and trigonometry. In addition to accuracy points, bonus points were awarded to teams that were first to answer each question correctly, adding an element of speed and strategy.
(Montverde Academy would finish in 1st place. Photo Credit LSSC.)
“Strong math skills are an important foundation to college courses in a wide variety of disciplines,” said Megan Cavanah, LSSC dean of mathematics. “It’s exciting and invigorating to see these high school students get excited about mathematics. In addition, the math faculty did an outstanding job hosting the event. Their passion for this event is evident in every aspect, from crafting challenging and engaging problems to ensuring a smooth competition day.”
LSSC’s math faculty develop the question set each year, designing problems that emphasize critical thinking, accuracy and reasoning—going beyond textbook knowledge to spark curiosity and creative problem-solving. Their careful preparation is a key part of what makes Mathlympics a respected and unique event.
After an intense competition, Montverde Academy Team A claimed the overall championship and one of the coveted Mathlympics trophies.
Adding a playful twist this year, the event featured a Minecraft-themed atmosphere. Students were encouraged to dress up and accessorize in pixelated style, bringing an extra layer of fun to the competition.
(The Villages finished in 3rd place overall with Team A. Photo Credit – LSSC.)
“Lake-Sumter State College is proud to partner with high school teachers across our two counties who share our passion for learning,” said Karen Hogans, LSSC vice president of academic affairs. “Events like Mathlympics help students see that learning can be challenging, collaborative and fun. Together with our K–12 partners, we’re building a strong academic foundation that prepares students for college and the workforce.”
Top 10 Finishing Teams – 2025 Mathlympics
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Montverde Academy – Team A
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East Ridge High School – Team B
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The Villages High School – Team A
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South Sumter High School – Team A
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Wildwood Middle High School – Team A
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Eustis High School – Team A
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Tavares High School – Team A
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Lake Minneola High School – Team A
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Pinecrest Lakes Academy – Team A
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South Lake High School – Team A
(East Ridge High School took runner-up honors. They put in a fantastic performance and were the top finishing Public School.)
About Lake-Sumter State College
Founded in 1962, Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) offers high-quality, affordable education to the communities of Lake and Sumter counties. As a proud member of the Florida College System, LSSC serves more than 8,600 students annually across four locations and online: Leesburg, Four Corners, South Lake (Clermont), and Sumterville. LSSC provides non-credit, certificate, associate degree and bachelor’s degree programs designed to prepare students for academic and career success. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Learn more at www.lssc.edu.
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
