How Two Girls from Sylmar Took Math and STEM to the National Stage
In the afterschool room at Sylmar Elementary, there’s no quiet corner. Not when math becomes a board game, sports analytics a challenge, and curiosity walks in after the last bell with a backpack and questions.
That’s where Site Coordinator Priscilla Galvez has built something lasting over the past 20 years. A space where kids can take learning further than they thought it could go.
This year, two of her students, Daleyza C. and Valentina G., did just that.
Math in Motion: Daleyza’s NBA Math Hoops Experience
Daleyza, 11 years old and in 5th grade, isn’t the kind of student who rushes to the spotlight. But when LA’s BEST introduced NBA Math Hoops, something clicked.
“She kept showing up. Quietly. Focused,” said Galvez. “And then she started winning.”
Math Hoops isn’t just about arithmetic. It’s structured around real statistical player analysis of NBA and WNBA players. Students calculate shooting percentages, defensive rebounds, and three-point averages in real time, developing number fluency and strategic thinking under pressure. Daleyza rose through the rankings, placing in the top four representing the Lakers region and earning a spot at the Global Tournament Championship in New York City.
“I felt nervous but excited,” she said. “I don’t usually like meeting new people, but everyone was really nice. My partner and I worked great together.”
Her favorite moment? “Walking down the red carpet on NBA Draft Night and meeting the 2024-2025 NBA Draft class was the best part”
Valentina Takes the Field: Learning STEM Through Baseball
Valentina, who has been in LA’s BEST since kindergarten, had already developed a reputation for jumping into challenges. So when the MLB Players STEM League 2025 Global Championship opened applications, she and her coach at Sylmar submitted a nomination video.
“I was in class when Ms. Galvez announced it. I was shocked. I didn’t think I would be picked,” she said. “I was nervous and excited.”
Valentina loved getting to meet new people and explore a new city.
“We went to Arizona to see a Texans baseball game and got to go on the field. Some of the players signed our things. That was my favorite part.”
The activities in Arizona weren’t theoretical. They involved problem-solving, data modeling, and science-based teamwork. Both girls came away with more than memories.
“I was not great at the STEM game at first, but I kept learning,” said Valentina.
Daleyza added, “I got better at strategy, and there was a girl named Bree who hyped everyone up. It made me want to do my best.”
It turns out, the formula for confidence isn’t just believing in yourself. It’s being taught how to solve real problems, alongside people who believe in you before you do.
The Learning That Lasts
For Galvez, who traveled with Daleyza to New York, the outcomes are visible.
“This past year, two of our students, Daleyza and Valentina, were selected for special trips to New York and Arizona through our enrichment programs. I had the pleasure of traveling with Daleyza to the Math Hoops National Tournament in New York. Watching her compete, connect with others, and grow more confident each day was unforgettable.”
And when they returned?
After Daleyza came back, more kids were excited to join. Parents got involved. The energy shifted. They saw what was possible.
Valentina, too, came back changed. She had her own reflections on what the program helped her discover.
“LA’s BEST helps me express myself and try new things,” she said.
She also had a message for others thinking about joining.
“I would tell my friends that LA’s BEST is a great choice. We play outside, do sports, do art, and even had Christmas at LA’s BEST last year.”
For Priscilla Galvez, that’s exactly the point.
“I always tell other staff, if something feels too hard or too big, say yes anyway,” she said. “These programs open doors that many of our students don’t even know exist yet. That’s why I believe in LA’s BEST—because every child deserves the chance to dream bigger, and see those dreams come to life.”
