Webster Hill Students Attempt to Set Guinness Book Record

The Webster Hill Elementary School community went above and beyond the usual brain teasers at last Thursday's annual math night.

This year's theme – "Math in Motion" – brought students and parents together to participate in a wide range of activities based on origami.

"Most of the activities were led by students who have been studying origami for the previous month. At the end of the evening, three students – Alexander Nadeau, Brynn Murphy and Megan Murphy – attempted to set a Guinness Book record for the largest origami butterfly folded by students," Physical Education teacher Eileen Shahverdian, who organized the activity, wrote in an email.

The butterfly in Webster Hill's logo, and is an important element of the school's culture. Webster Hill has a butterfly house in the courtyard, and the entire community is involved raising and releasing Monarch butterflies every year.

"It went wonderfully well. The children have had a fantastic time for several weeks now preparing for the evening. Eileen ran it like an artist in residence, hosting origami folding sessions for weeks and teaching about it in her gym classes. She was in charge and did an AMAZING, incredible job of teaching about the commitment, discipline and beauty of this art, something missing in our daily rushing lives," said math tutor Madelyn Filomeno, who was also involved with planning and conducting the activity.

Filomeno said that Shahverdian, who practices yoga, brought a "calm, spiritual expression" to the activity. The students were actively engaged sharing their experiences with those who attended math night.

"The kids had a very successful experience, which was our main goal and the rest is all extra – should we actually break the record," Filomeno said. 

According to Shahverdian, in the next few weeks the school will be notified by Guinness as to whether or not a new record was achieved.