The BASIS Independent McLean (BIM) MATHCOUNTS team placed first in the MATHCOUNTS state championships in Richmond, Va. this past weekend; this is BIM’s second time participating and winning in the annual statewide MATHCOUNTS competition. BASIS Independent McLean MATHCOUNTS members, called Team SWEEP to represent a combination of their initials, include: Sam Wang (grade 7), Eleanor Kim (grade 8), Ethan Zhou (grade 7), and Pravalika Putalapattu (grade 8). Team SWEEP is led by Coaches Tyler Sullivan and Dr. Ryan Grove, a BIM math and science teacher. MATHCOUNTS state champions head to the 2018 MATHCOUNTS National Competition in Washington, D.C., May 12 to 15. For more information on BASIS Independent McLean, go to http://mclean.basisindependent.com.

Coach Walls serves up some effective ways to help kids fight obesity all year long, and improve their game

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 5 people between the ages of 6 to 19 has obesity, which is excess body fat. A contributing factor to this problem is taking in more calories than are being burned. While it’s recommended that children get at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day, many are falling short. There are millions of young people who participate in sports, but when their season is over for their sport of choice, they often don’t know what to do to keep fit until it starts back up again. The good news is there are things parents can do to help their kids keep fit during the off season.

Metropolitan School of the Arts (MSA) Performing Arts Academy of Alexandria, Va., is hosting its Anniversary Annual Showcase, 10Plus 1, an innovative choreography of MSA students in tap, jazz, contemporary and hip-hop on Sun., Apr. 15 at 5 p.m. at the Ernst Community Cultural Center in Alexandria, Va. Tickets are $20 per person. Go to www.metropolitanarts.org to purchase.

This is MSA’s 11th Annual Showcase of its pre-professional dance company, Metropolitan Youth Tap Ensemble, and 10th year with iMPULSE. Choreography is led by guest professionals like Ginger Cox, Parker Esse, Jared Jenkins and Charles Renato.

“Our annual showcase is the MSA event of the year, where we highlight the best of the best in our dance programs,” said Melissa Dobbs, executive director and founder of Metropolitan School of the Arts of Alexandria, Va.