Last Updated: 05/24/2011*

Raytheon will host the nation’s top 228 middle school Mathletes® as the title sponsor of the 2009 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition May 7-10, at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Advancing beyond more than 100,000 middle-schoolers from all 50 states and the U.S. territories in local and regional MATHCOUNTS competitions, these math whizzes are vying for the top spot as the national math champion. The champion will receive a scholarship to the college of his or her choice, among other exciting prizes.

“Raytheon is working to foster young students’ interest and success in math and science, both of which are essential for the United States to be a source of innovation and preserving our ability to compete globally,” said William H. Swanson, chairman and CEO of Raytheon Company and 2009 MATHCOUNTS honorary chairman. “Raytheon’s MathMovesU program shares MATHCOUNTS’ commitment to coaching and enriching young students. The national competition is a fun and creative way to prepare students for success in science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers.”

Raytheon’s support of MATHCOUNTS is a component of its MathMovesU program, an initiative designed to engage U.S. middle school students in math and science through interactive learning programs, contests, events, scholarships, tutoring programs and more. Since its inception in 2005, MathMovesU has touched the lives of more than 700,000 students, teachers and parents.

MATHCOUNTS will present the 2009 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition live via web cast on Friday, May 8, at 2 p.m. EDT at http://www.mathcounts.org/. Students will have the opportunity to watch and play along with the nation’s top middle school mathletes.

Mathletes and MATHCOUNTS are registered trademarks of the MATHCOUNTS Foundation.