When Annabelle Strauss signed up to participate in the extracurricular Math Club at St. Ambrose School in Brunswick, she never imagined she would win an international competition.
But that’s what happened.
Rachel Buttitta, Annabelle’s math teacher and math coach, introduced the Math Club at St. Ambrose for fourth-and fifth-graders. Annabelle signed up and attended all the after-school sessions, and Buttitta said she always believed in her talent.
“She is a Math Hoops natural,” Buttitta said. “She was always present for the after-school club and even when she didn’t have a teammate, she played solo with ease. Annabelle is a strong math student who strives for accuracy.”
Annabelle was able to participate in the 2023 NBA Math Hoops through the school club. To apply for the NBA Global Math Hoops Challenge, she achieved all-star status by completing at least 25 games and 10 lessons by March. Buttitta said she finished more than 36. Annabelle also had to complete a rigorous application process for the competition. The Cleveland Cavaliers are among the supporters of Math Hoops.
The St. Ambrose student earned an all-expenses-paid trip to the global competition in New York City. Accompanying her were her mother, Kimberly, and Buttitta.
Annabelle was paired with a partner student from Detroit, Michigan and she ended up winning the international competition in which 206,000 students from around the world participated. Twenty-four students were in the final competition in New York. They also toured the city.
“Annabelle is a Math Hoops natural,” Buttitta said. “She is a strong math student who strives for accuracy. She puts 100% into all she does.”
Buttitta noted that Annabelle as “amazing leadership qualities and was an excellent candidate to attend the NBA Math Hoops National Championship. Her sportsmanship is stellar and her willingness to support others is part of what makes her an amazing young lady.”
Lisa Cinadr, St. Ambrose principal, echoed Buttitta’s remarks and said she was overjoyed for the opportunity for Annabelle and her representation of the school, parish, Cleveland and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“I am so proud of Annabelle. Her willingness to step into God-given strengths and stretch herself with the values she learns daily at St. Ambrose School is exciting and an inspiration for all. God bless Mrs. Buttitta for being gone of our amazing teachers who strive to provide everything for one of our angels every day,” Cinadr said.
NBA Math Hoops is a comprehensive c
ommunity program that features a basketball board game, mobile app and curriculum that allows students to learn fundamental math skills through the game of basketball. The program content is developed in alignment with Common Core state standards and 21stcentury learning skills. Program officials said it has been shown to improve students’ foundational math and social-emotional skills. The NBA Math Hoops program is managed by the nonprofit Learn Fresh, in association with NBA Cares.
Nationwide statistics show that 82% of eighth graders from low-income families are not proficient in math. Failing math class in middle school is a key indicator of dropping out of high school, which can cause challenges later in life. Through NBA Math Hoops, students get a chance to develop an appreciation and love for math as well as to develop interpersonal skills that can serve them throughout their life.
The program experience is managed by Learn Fresh, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, in association with NBA Cares.