The BASIS Independent McLean (BIM) MATHCOUNTS team placed first in the MATHCOUNTS state championships in Richmond, Va. this past weekend; this is BIM’s second time participating and winning in the annual statewide MATHCOUNTS competition. BASIS Independent McLean MATHCOUNTS members, called Team SWEEP to represent a combination of their initials, include: Sam Wang (grade 7), Eleanor Kim (grade 8), Ethan Zhou (grade 7), and Pravalika Putalapattu (grade 8). Team SWEEP is led by Coaches Tyler Sullivan and Dr. Ryan Grove, a BIM math and science teacher. MATHCOUNTS state champions head to the 2018 MATHCOUNTS National Competition in Washington, D.C., May 12 to 15. For more information on BASIS Independent McLean, go to http://mclean.basisindependent.com.

Metropolitan School of the Arts (MSA) Performing Arts Academy of Alexandria, Va., is hosting its Anniversary Annual Showcase, 10Plus 1, an innovative choreography of MSA students in tap, jazz, contemporary and hip-hop on Sun., Apr. 15 at 5 p.m. at the Ernst Community Cultural Center in Alexandria, Va. Tickets are $20 per person. Go to www.metropolitanarts.org to purchase.

This is MSA’s 11th Annual Showcase of its pre-professional dance company, Metropolitan Youth Tap Ensemble, and 10th year with iMPULSE. Choreography is led by guest professionals like Ginger Cox, Parker Esse, Jared Jenkins and Charles Renato.

“Our annual showcase is the MSA event of the year, where we highlight the best of the best in our dance programs,” said Melissa Dobbs, executive director and founder of Metropolitan School of the Arts of Alexandria, Va.

The BASIS Independent McLean (BIM) middle school math team of McLean, Va. earned first place in the 35th Annual Northern Virginia Regional MATHCOUNTS Competition for the team category, led by BIM MATHCOUNTS coach, Tyler Sullivan. BIM students, Eleanor Kim, Pravalika Putalapattu, Sam Wang and Ethan Zhou, refer to their four-person math team as Team SWEEP, a name created by the students’ initials.  Fifteen schools competed in The Northern Virginia Chapter 2018 MATHCOUNTS Competition.  For more information on BASIS Independent McLean, go to http://mclean.basisindependent.com.

“We’re very excited to have our students win the MATHCOUNTS chapter championships for the second consecutive year,” said Ron Kim, head of school of BASIS Independent McLean of McLean, Va. “Their preparation and hard work have paid off and will help prepare them for the state contest in March,” said Kim.