Speedcubing is a family affair for Kromrey Middle School fifth grader Aarush Peddapati and his sister Aarna, a first grader at Pope Farm Elementary School.
They share their passion and expertise with other students every Wednesday at Cubetastic @ KMS, Kromrey Middle School’s speedcubing club. Aarush started the club in December with his mom, Padmini Chintakayala, serving as club advisor. It has quickly grown to 13 members.
“Like most kids, after Aarush started cubing he wanted to be a part of a community of cubers but he quickly found out that cubing is a rare brain sport," Chintakayala said. “He once told me only 5.8% of the world population can cube. He realized he had knowledge he could share.”
Aarush is embracing his role as a coach, with Aarna assisting by training club members who are new to speedcubing.
“Aarush is very excited not only to coach students on cubing but also to train them for the competition,” Chintakayala said. “He is working very hard to be better every day and really appreciates the efforts his teachers make to keep learning inclusive and exciting.”
Aarush is training club members for a 3x3 cubing competition on May 9 at Monona Terrace, which will bring in cubers from across Wisconsin and the Midwest. Seven of the club’s 13 members will compete as well as Aarna, who was the youngest participant in the Wisconsin Speedcubing Championship in 2025.
Aarush’s leadership includes fundraising so that club members don’t need to pay the $50 registration fee for the competition. Chintakayala said supporting the club is a way her family gives back to the community. She said she’s grateful for the opportunities in Dane County after relocating from India more than 20 years ago.
“As parents, we always remind and encourage our kids that they have opportunities many others don't and that they need to help others when they can,” Chintakayala said.
Chintakayala said Kromrey Middle School Associate Principal Eric Engel has been a strong supporter of the club. He has helped secure funding for more advanced cubes as well as for timers so that students no longer need to share one timer.
For club members, Chintakayala emphasizes that while the sport is all about speed, it requires patience.
“The kids first need to learn to slow down, be patient, focus and embrace the fact that the difference between what looks like a 'mess' and a completed solve is a series of steps,” she said. “In the world of instant gratification and screens, I think we could all benefit from this. And we are happy to bring this to the students at Kromrey.”
She said her favorite part of the club is watching members’ confidence grow.
“It is really gratifying to see the transformation of the kids, especially beginners who go from looking at a scrambled cube for the first time and saying, ‘I don't think I can do this,’ to, ‘Hey, look what I did today!’” Chintakayala said.
She reminds club members that while speedcubing is competitive, they can also compete against themselves to beat their personal best times.
Check out Aarush and Aarna’s speedcubing skills in a recent News 3 Channel 3000 segment. Join us in wishing all the cubers good luck at their competition in May!
Photos: Aarush coaching Cubetastic @ KMS club members, and Aarna's presentation at Pope Farm Elementary School's recent STEAM Fair.