When math teachers say “Pi,” the image that likely comes into students’ heads are tables full of apple, pumpkin, and rhubarb pie–or they might have already tuned out at the sound of this symbol during class. While it may seem to students as another insignificant, never-ending number, Pi has great significance in the world.
Yes, Pi may be used to calculate the area of a circle or create endless trigonometric graphs in Algebra 2 Honors, but what does the symbol Pi truly entail in its existence? The bridges, satellites, and buildings we build need Pi for engineering concepts. The circadian rhythms and EKG graphs interpreted by health professionals rely upon this “mere” symbol to bring and preserve life in patients. The light and sound waves that constantly surround us represent “boring” trig graphs created from Pi into something truly exquisite: physics.
Fayetteville-Manlius High School held the assembly celebrating this infinitely tremendous symbol on March 11th, 2025 (three days earlier than the actual Pi day, March 14). Students gathered in the auditorium to experience a day of a number created by the Greek mathematician Archimedes.
The assembly started with a parody of “Carnival” by Kanye West from the X-tra Creds, hyping the audience up for two periods full of fun. This was then followed by numerous students rapidly jotting down numbers, solving Rubik’s Cubes, and participating in Family Feud hosted by none other than the Geometry wizard himself, Mr. Alvarez.
The second period of this wonderful day was filled with even more tension. The returning Li’l Pis serenaded the audience with a rendition of NSYNC’s “Bye, Bye, Bye,” entrancing them with their captivating dance moves. Tension bubbled in the air as the Rubik’s Cube finalists were announced: Owen Zhu and Daniel Li. After a suspenseful 16-seconds, Daniel Li took home the honor of the Rubik’s Cube winner for the 2nd year in a row. When Mr. Engel asked for his fastest time, he nonchalantly responded with “eight seconds.” Soon after, Irrational Beats sang their Pi parody of “Love is an Open Door.”
Then, came the time for the Pi digit memorization contest. Earlier, in the assembly, Elliot McDaniel, 2-time Pi Digit Memorization Contest winner, was carried onto the stage with shades on. However, Brooke Kronenberg posed a great challenge as she faced him down on stage, eventually taking the win. Her advice for memorizing so many digits (700+) was “Separating it into chunks and using Pi the Game.” The day came to a close with Chappel Round’s rendition of “Hot-to-Go,” displaying the performers’ vibrant wigs and costumes.
This assembly would not have been possible without the math teachers who prepared long hours for this event, American Pidol finalists who tirelessly rehearsed, the Rubik’s Cubers who learned how to solve a cube, the Pi digit memorizers who memorized at least 50 digits of this infinite number, as well as Ava Ziadini, who designed this year’s Pi day shirt.
When asked about the importance of this assembly, the school-renowned Mr. Delans stated, “It brings joy to the school celebrating math while getting many people involved in this huge event. More importantly, it brings the whole math faculty together while participating in this fun day, and it unites the student body as they express their passion for math.” By solving the areas of pizzas to calculate the mass of stars, all of these calculations showcase that Pi’s impact will truly be infinite in importance for many years to come.
