South Bay Math Circle

Kiana Avestimehr

Hi! My name is Kiana Avestimehr, and I'm a sophomore at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School. This year, I'll be taking AP Calculus BC. What I love most about math is that there are so many different ways to approach a problem, and there's always something new to learn. I usually teach elementary school students at SBMC, and I enjoy sharing my passion for math with others. I'm excited to meet you all and look forward to seeing you soon!

Elle Chen

Hi! I'm Elle Chen; I'm a freshman at Palos Verdes High taking Algebra 2 Honors. I enjoy math because it keeps you focused on attention to detail while also opening up a guise for various pathways and solutions. I teach the elementary level at SBMC (3rd-5th), and I love to watch the students grow more confident and independent with their solutions every session. SBMC helped me grow so much since I entered the world of competitive math in seventh grade, and it makes me so happy to be able to share, teach, and watch the students develop with the amazing resources that the math circle provides. I can't wait to work with all of you this year!

Goodwin Chen

Hi, I'm Goodwin Chen, a rising junior at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School. I will be taking Multivariable Calculus this upcoming school year. I enjoy math because it's both logical and creative, and there are many ways to solve a problem. I like the challenge of finding elegant solutions and approaching problems from different perspectives. At SBMC, I teach elementary and middle school math. I really enjoy helping younger students build strong foundations and grow more confident in math. It's rewarding to be part of their learning journey. Outside of math, I enjoy running, and learning about computer architecture. I'm excited to continue being involved with SBMC. See you soon!

Railey Chen

Hi, I'm Railey Chen, a senior at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School taking multivariable calculus. I like math because it challenges you to think through each step, step out of your comfort zone, and focus on one problem at a time. At SBMC, I teach elementary and middle school levels, sharing the valuable tips and tricks I've learned since joining in 6th grade. I hope to help others find math less intimidating.

Audrey Chin

Hi, my name is Audrey Chin. I'm a junior at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School taking AP Calc BC. I like math because of how creative you can be by solving problems in different ways. I teach the middle school level at SBMC, and I enjoy teaching strategies and skills I've learned throughout my classes. I look forward to meeting you!

Daniel Chun

Hello! My name is Daniel Chun and I am a sophomore at Palos Verdes High School taking Precalculus Honors. I like math because it's not just one subject, it can be expanded to be fit for all kinds of hobbies and interests. I teach at an elementary school level at SBMC, and I find it a joy to teach students different approaches to a problem with unique solutions. Can't wait to meet everybody!

Malia Conlon

My name is Malia Conlon, and I'm a senior at Palos Verdes High School currently taking AP Calculus. I've always enjoyed the challenge of solving complex math problems and the logical thinking that comes with it. At SBMC, I teach math to elementary-level students and focus on making math fun, approachable, and confidence-building. Being part of SBMC has been such a rewarding experience, and I'm proud to contribute to a program that helps younger students grow their love for learning.

Arnav Garg

Hi everyone! My name is Arnav Garg, and I am currently the Assistant Vice President at SBMC. I am currently a sophomore at Palos Verdes Peninsula high school taking AP Calculus BC this year. I have always had a passion for math since I was a kid. From spending long hours studying math to winning my first competition, I enjoyed math every step of the way. At SBMC, I am excited to help other students embark on a similar journey.

Leila Gheysar

Hi everyone! My name is Leila Gheysar and I've been competing in math since sixth grade. I love how math pushes you to think in new ways and how satisfying it is when everything finally clicks. At SBMC, I teach at the elementary level, and it's one of the highlights of my week. I really enjoy breaking down concepts in a way that's fun and engaging, and seeing students grow more confident with each lesson is the best part. I'm so excited to continue mentoring this year!

Kevin Han

What's up everyone? My name is Kevin Han. I'm a senior at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School and am taking Linear Algebra at LA Harbor College. I like math because in most complex math problems, there is usually a clever shortcut that you might have never been able to think of. It just blows my mind that there is still more math to learn after reading through so many solutions on a single problem. I teach middle school levels at SBMC and have participated in many math competitions, including the AMC 8, AMC 10, Mathcounts State, and AIME. I joined SBMC when I was in 3rd grade and had no clue about the world of competition math. SBMC introduced me to a whole new way of thinking about math. I want to share all the different concepts I've learned over the years with SBMC. Can't wait to mentor y'all.

David Hernandez

Hi! I'm David Hernandez and I'm a freshman at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School taking AP Precalculus BC. I love math because it's complicated, but also teaches you to think outside the box. I enjoy teaching math to elementary and middle school students at SBMC because I get to help kids think logically and show them strategies that they can use in the future. In addition to learning math, I enjoy playing chess and swimming. I look forward to meeting you!

Emilia Hong

Hi! I'm Emilia Hong and I will be taking AP Precalculus BC as a sophomore at Palos Verdes High School. I love math because, although there are infinite ways to solve a problem, you always end with the same answer. I will be working with elementary and middle school students at SBMC and I look forward to helping students step out of their comfort zones and discover their own ways to solve math problems. I can't wait to work with everyone!

Isabella Hsu

Hello! My name is Isabella Hsu, and I am a freshman at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, taking AP precalculus BC. Math is very interesting to me because you have the opportunity to solve challenging problems, allowing yourself to think creatively and discover clever solutions. I'm fortunate to work with both elementary and middle school students at SBMC and am excited to teach in an environment where students can explore challenging math and develop strong problem-solving skills. I hope you can learn lots and I look forward to meeting all of you this year!

Aiden Huang

Hey y'all! My name is Aiden Huang and I am a junior at Palos Verdes High School currently taking Advanced Calculus. For me, I enjoy math because every problem is a puzzle that can be solved by anyone, including you! I love how a bit of clever thinking and problem-solving can allow us to complete the puzzle and entice us to want more. I am excited to share and explain different strategies for tackling mathematical problems. In my free time, I do photography, videography, and basketball at Palos Verdes High School. I'm looking forward to connecting with and seeing y'all soon!

Alexis Huang

Hi, my name is Alexis Huang and I go to Miraleste Intermediate School as an 8th grader. I will be taking Geometry Honors this upcoming school year and I teach elementary or middle school students at SBMC. I enjoy teaching at SBMC because I get to help other students learn and improve their math skills. I like math because there is always a clear answer, and I enjoy the challenge of solving problems.

Nikita Kapoor

Hi, my name is Nikita Kapoor and I'm an incoming freshman at Palos Verdes High School. I'll be taking AP Precalculas this year. Math has always been one of my favorite subjects and I love that I get to spread my love for it by teaching at South Bay Math Circle. Having once been a student in this program myself, I understand how a mentor can build a student's interest in math through immersive learning. I plan to give that very learning experience I enjoyed to my students.

Akshobh Karthik

Hi everyone! My name is Akshobh Karthik, and I am a junior at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School currently taking Advanced Calculus. I enjoy mathematics because it offers multiple ways to solve a single problem, allowing me to approach it creatively. I love how a bit of clever thinking can make problem-solving more effective and enjoyable. I am excited to share and explain different strategies for tackling mathematical problems. Looking forward to seeing you all soon!

Aston Lee

Hi I'm Aston and I'm a senior at Peninsula. I'm currently taking Statistics but have completed up to Advanced Calculus. Not only is math a logical subject in which topics build upon each other, but it is also applicable to real life in more ways than are commonly given credit for. The beauty of math lies within the struggle to understand a concept initially but later looking back with an appreciation for and mastery of that topic. I teach elementary students and one thing I love about SBMC is how the sessions are structured based on the students' needs. While some groups like to power through the packets and review the answers at the end, some prefer going over each question in detail and working together to solve them. Either way, we always get a lot done and make sure to have fun the whole time. I have two little brothers so I'm super friendly and understanding with kids. Currently, I'm serving on the Elementary Curriculum Committee and am the Communications & Outreach officer. I look forward to meeting everyone!

Jayden Lee

My name is Jayden Lee, and I'm a 9th grader at Peninsula High School, currently taking AP Precalculus BC. I enjoy math because there's a unique sense of accomplishment that comes from working through a challenging problem. I also teach middle school students at South Bay Math Circle, where one of my favorite parts is seeing how much the kids grow over the course of the year. Outside of math, I enjoy playing basketball and solving Minesweeper puzzles.

Allen Liu

Hi, my name is Allen Liu, and I am the president of SBMC. I'm currently a senior at Chadwick and am taking Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra. As someone who participated in the AIME, CMM, and SMT, I have an interest in competitive math because I enjoy spending time solving difficult math problems. Although it may seem frustrating to solve math problems at first, I've learned that problem-solving can be very rewarding as well once you become proficient at it. At SBMC, I wish to pass down my interest in problem-solving to other young students. I'm looking forward to another great year at SBMC!

Aaron Luo

Hi, my name is Aaron Luo. I will be a sophomore at Peninsula High School in the coming school year, taking linear algebra. I like math because there are many ways to solve problems. I feel there is a certain beauty in math because you can derive everything and it makes sense. Participating in math competitions has taught me problem solving ability and perseverance. When preparing competitions, you learn things that you don't learn in a typical math class. You learn theorems and methods to attack problems but also learn to think creatively to solve problems. I teach both elementary and middle school levels at SBMC, and I enjoy teaching at SBMC because it's cool to see students figure out how to solve difficult problems. I enjoy playing tennis and piano when I'm not doing math. I look forward to mentoring all of you this year!

Jacob Ma

Hi, my name is Jacob Ma. I am a senior at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School and I am currently taking Advanced Calculus. Math has always been my favorite subject because there is a wide diversity of topics to learn about and explore. I also love the creative aspect of math and how there are always various methods to solve a problem. I was a student in SBMC during elementary and middle school and have been a mentor for the past two years. I look forward to teaching elementary and middle school students and sharing my love of math with them!

Jason Nan

Hi! I'm Jason Nan and I will be an upcoming junior that will be taking Calculus at Chadwick next year. A personal favorite for math is the many different approaches to a singular problem which makes different concepts so much more connected. I mainly teach elementary school here. I enjoy teaching here at SBMC since the students are very attentive and I get to meet new people! Some of my interests outside of math are robotics and tennis.

Seiji Okuno

Hello, my name is Seiji Okuno and I am a Sophomore at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School where I will study AP Precalculus AB. I enjoy math because it challenges me to think logically while allowing me to solve problems creatively. At SBMC, I am currently the mentor of Middle School students. What I enjoy most while mentoring is being able to share understanding with the students and experience growth with them. I also hold the position of Vice President of Curriculum at SBMC.

Lea Segal

Hello! My name is Lea Segal and I am a senior at Peninsula High School taking Advanced Calculus. I have been mentoring at South Bay Math Circle for 5 years. Math has always been one of my favorite subjects because often there is no single way to solve a problem. I currently mentor the Elementary level. I hope to help students learn and develop a lifelong love of math!

Mark Segal

Hello! My name is Mark Segal. I am in 10th grade and currently go to Palos Verdes Peninsula High School. I am currently taking AP Pre-Calc BC. I like math because, for me, it can be very satisfying when you come up with a clever way of solving a problem. At SBMC I mentor upper elementary (4th, 5th grade) and middle school students. I enjoy teaching at SBMC because it is fun to go through difficult problems with the students and seeing the solutions they come up with. Outside of math I enjoy playing on my various instruments. I hope to see you at SBMC soon.

Gregory Shechter

Hello everyone! My name is Gregory Shechter and I am a sophomore at Palos Verdes High School currently taking AP Calculus BC. Math has always been my favorite subject because there are so many types of problems to learn how to solve, and it's always fascinating to find new approaches to solving them. I enjoy helping younger students improve their math skills and build their confidence in mathematics. I am also passionate about running, playing the piano, composing music, and building robots. I currently serve on the SBMC board as the Assistant Vice President. I hope to work with you soon!

Julianna Shechter

Hi! My name is Julianna Shechter. I am in 8th grade at Palos Verdes Intermediate School and this year I am taking Algebra 2 Honors. I have been involved in math circles and math competitions since I was in second grade and really love sharing my love of math with other students. I am teaching elementary level math at SBMC this year. When I'm not doing math, I enjoy playing the flute and lacrosse and spending time with my friends. I am looking forward to teaching elementary students and sharing my knowledge.

Liam Soeng

Hi everyone! My name is Liam Soeng, and I'm a freshman at Peninsula High School taking Precalculus BC. I really like math because it challenges your brain to overcome different obstacles while using methods you've previously learned. At SBMC, I teach elementary and middle school levels, where I enjoy helping students and improving their skills during the sessions. Besides math, I love reading and playing tennis. I look forward to seeing you at SBMC soon!

Nathan Soeng

Hi, my name is Nathan Soeng. I am a senior at Peninsula High School taking Linear Algebra. I like math for its rewarding challenges and its different problem-solving methods. There is always so much more math to learn and that amazes me. I enjoy mentoring as I get to help others learn new strategies and perspectives on problems. I usually mentor at the middle school level, and I can't wait to mentor you guys!

Kyra Tang

Hi everyone! My name is Kyra Tang and I am the President of South Bay Math Circle. I am currently a senior in Palos Verdes Peninsula High School and am taking Statistics AP. I enjoy doing math because I find satisfaction seeing a complicated problem turn into a simple solution. I like teaching at SBMC because I enjoy sharing my knowledge and tricks to students as well as teaching the ability to find simplicity in seemingly complicated problems. Aside from math, I enjoy tennis, chemistry, and piano. Can't wait to see you all!

Sarah Varghese

Hello! My name is Sarah Varghese and I'm a junior at Peninsula High School. I am currently in AP Calculus BC, and I teach elementary and middle school students at SBMC. SBMC has been a part of my life for a long time, and it's helped me with foundations in competition math. I can't wait to instill that in other students so that they may get the best out of this amazing experience. Math is something I've always been interested in because it's not only a subject - it's life. The real-life applications of math are incredible and they are all around you! I'm so excited to be teaching at SBMC this year. Hope to see you guys soon!

Aidan Wong

Hi, my name is Aidan Wong and I am a freshman at the California Academy of Mathematics and Science. I am currently taking AP Precalculus BC. I enjoy math because it allows for creative thinking, offering multiple ways to approach a single problem. I like teaching at the middle school level at SBMC because I want to help others develop their love for math and guide them through the rewarding process of solving tough problems. Aside from math, I have spent the past two years competing in robotics competitions, including Zero Robotics and FIRST LEGO League. Can't wait to see all of you!

Samuel Wu

Hello, my name is Samuel Wu. I am an 8th grader at Palos Verdes Intermediate School and I'll be taking Geometry Honors this year. I like that math is very versatile and can be applied to many real-world fields, such as architecture and computer science. I teach at the elementary school level at SBMC. At SBMC, I enjoy helping students understand new concepts and seeing them become more confident in their abilities. Aside from math, I love tennis and music. Excited to see what we can accomplish!

Lucas Yeh

Hello everyone! My name is Lucas Yeh and I am a sophomore at North High School in Torrance. I am currently taking AP Calculus BC. Math is something I enjoy very much; the new concepts, rules, laws, and methods I learn is what makes math my favorite subject. At SBMC, I teach at an elementary school level. I like teaching at SBMC because just knowing that I taught a new concept to a student is the most rewarding thing. Some other things I enjoy are crafts, volleyball, and my reselling side hustle. I can't wait to meet you all!

Evalyn Yu

Hi! My name is Evalyn Yu, and I am a junior at Palos Verdes High School taking Advanced Calculus. I like math because it is strategic and satisfying. Ever since I was little, I enjoyed participating in local math clubs, working through AoPS textbooks, and explaining concepts to others. As a mentor and a vice president of SBMC, I teach elementary and middle schoolers and love collaborating with fellow students. I look forward to working with you!

Aya Zhao

Hi! I'm Aya, and I'm a junior at Chadwick taking Multivariable Calculus this year. Math has always been a big part of my life, and I'm excited to share that passion with younger students. I'll be teaching the elementary level at SBMC because I love encouraging out-of-the-box thinking from the beginning of a student's math journey. I look forward to meeting you!