Alexandria Students Reach Finals of International Math Competition

Thomas Jefferson High School team tackles modeling of gambling behavior and its impacts

Apr. 15, 2026 at 4:12pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen print featuring a repeating icon of a calculator, conceptually representing the mathematical prowess of the competing students.The innovative math modeling skills of Alexandria's top students are celebrated in a vibrant pop art illustration.Alexandria Today

A team of students from Thomas Jefferson High School in Alexandria, Virginia has advanced to the finals of the MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge, a prestigious international math competition. The students will present their findings on modeling gambling behavior and assessing its financial and social impacts to a panel of judges in New York City.

Why it matters

The MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge aims to demonstrate how math modeling can be used to educate and influence society. The Alexandria students' work on this year's timely topic of online sports gambling is particularly relevant as Virginia has seen a rapid increase in sports betting since it was legalized in 2021.

The details

The Alexandria team, consisting of Ashwath Muppa, Shresth Jaiswal, Varun Ananthakrishnan, Agastya Sondhi and Adhiraj Chhoda, competed against thousands of peers across the U.S., England and Wales. They wrestled with questions around whether societies should be concerned about the growth in online sports gambling, how to gauge how much money is being lost, and how much is too much for an individual to spend. Their work has shifted some of their views, particularly on the need for stronger regulation focused on consumer protection, credit limits, and better education around the risks of gambling.

  • The MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge takes place annually.
  • The Alexandria team will travel to New York City on April 27, 2026 to present their findings to the judges.

The players

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

A public magnet high school in Alexandria, Virginia known for its strong STEM programs.

MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge

An annual international competition that challenges high school students to use mathematical modeling to solve real-world problems.

Ashwath Muppa, Shresth Jaiswal, Varun Ananthakrishnan, Agastya Sondhi, Adhiraj Chhoda

The five students from Thomas Jefferson High School who advanced to the finals of the MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge.

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What they’re saying

“My view has shifted toward stronger regulation focused on consumer protection, especially through limits on credit-funded betting, tighter oversight of promotions, and better education around the risks of gambling.”

— Adhiraj Chhoda, Student

“We also analyzed the effectiveness of different policies to clearly show ... the potential impact each could have in reducing risk.”

— Varun Ananthakrishnan, Student

“I think society needs to understand the toll a loss can take, and with the online sports gambling industry skyrocketing, it is very important for people to understand its adverse effects.”

— Agastya Sondhi, Student

What’s next

The Alexandria team will present their findings to a panel of judges in New York City on April 27, 2026 as they compete for the top prizes ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 in scholarship money.

The takeaway

This competition highlights how math modeling can be used to tackle real-world societal issues like the growth of online sports gambling. The Alexandria students' work has not only advanced their mathematical skills, but also shifted their perspectives on the need for stronger consumer protections and education around the risks of gambling addiction.