Avon student dominates Pi Day competition, recites 540 digits from memory
AVON, Conn. (WTNH) — In an extraordinary cognitive feat, an Avon third grader won by a landslide in a Pi Day competition, reciting 540 digits by memory in 10 minutes.
Maya Ali, a student at Talcott Mountain Academy and Science Center, says she spent 250 days preparing for the competition. She says she memorized 20 digits per session through progressive recall.
What's Right With Schools: Glastonbury middle schoolers sing their way to a competition stage
'When I got on stage, I was quite stressed,' Ali told News 8. 'But once you close your eyes and get in the flow it gets fun and easier.'
Ali says in her practice sessions she was able to get to 600 digits. While she says she fell short on competition day, the young girl's memory sent jaws dropping. The school's dean says no student has ever been able to get close to what she achieved.
'It was like watching Michael Phelps jump in the pool at a junior high swim meet,' said Dean Kenneth Wright. 'She just flew past everyone. There are tricks and strategies you can use to memorize things, but once you get past a certain number, that's just grit.'
'I felt very happy and proud of myself and excited,' Ali said.
The student says her father helped her immensely during practice sessions, being there for her every step of the way even when she felt like giving up at times.
'There were a few moments where she wanted to quit because it was just too frustrating and making too many mistakes, etc., but also there were moments where she would do 150 digits and just start running around the house with joy and pleasure,' said her father, Waqar Ali.
He adds he was overcome with emotion watching her compete.
'I could not hold the tears back,' he said. 'I was having trouble holding the phone cause my hands were trembling so much. Just overjoyed with anxiety, pleasure, pride, so many emotions.'
Ali says while it may have been her first Pi Day competition, it certainly won't be her last.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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