Salinas Student Adds Up to Top 20 in the Nation

Celebrating Sequoia Olson

Salinas has a new hometown hero—and they’re making headlines with their math skills. Sequoia Olson, a bright and joyful student from our community, has placed in the Top 20 nationally in the 2025 Math Kangaroo USA competition. With over 50,000 students across the country participating, this is no small feat—this is a mathematical marvel!

Math Kangaroo challenges students to tackle complex, logic-driven problems that go beyond memorization, rewarding those who approach puzzles with creativity, insight, and strategy. Sequoia rose to the occasion with flying colors.

To properly celebrate this accomplishment, we submit the following congratulatory formula:

(Hard Work + Brain Power) × Dedication = 🎉 Top 20 National Champion! 🎉

As a result of this top-tier performance, Sequoia was awarded special prizes and invitations to workshops like “The Magic of Math” and “Do My Genes Fit?”, where young minds explore how mathematics intersects with real-world science, genetics, and technology.

But beyond the accolades and awards, Sequoia’s achievement reflects the strength of curiosity, the power of persistence, and the joy that comes from solving problems—especially the really tough ones.

This victory is not just Sequoia’s. It belongs to our schools, teachers, family, and community who support bright minds and encourage learning with enthusiasm.

So, here's one more equation for the road:
(Sequoia² + Grit³) × Community Support = Future Math Legend

Congratulations, Sequoia Olson! You’ve proven that math is more than numbers—it’s a superpower. Keep solving, keep smiling, and keep showing the world how brilliant young minds can be.