LOCK HAVEN – More than 200 high school students from all over Pennsylvania participated in Lock Haven University’s sixth annual High School Mathematics Competition on Nov. 7.
The Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of Mathematics (PCTM) offered financial support for this event. Participating were Bellefonte Area High School, Carlisle Area High School, Central Mountain High School, Clearfield Area High School, Hughesville High School, Jersey Shore Area High School, Mount Carmel Area High School, Portage Area High School, Southern Columbia High School, Springside C. H. Academy, and Warrior Run High School.
Dr. Muhammad Aslam, associate professor of mathematics and competition coordinator, said, “It was a great pleasure to host young people who were excited to show their love for mathematics. My objective was to provide an opportunity to these energetic students to express their mathematical skills and to enhance their interest in solving mathematical problems. I am glad that we are providing this opportunity every year at Lock Haven University.”
Students heard from Aslam, as well as Dr. Michael Fiorentino Jr., president of Lock Haven University, Dr. Donna Wilson, LHU provost and vice president for academic affairs, and Dr. Jonathan Lindzey, dean of the College of Natural, Behavioral & Health Sciences, who welcomed students and highlighted the importance of mathematics. The Lock Haven University admissions office provided door prizes and lunch to all participants.
Mathematics faculty and students were instrumental in the success of the competition, offering assistance with registration, proctoring and grading exams, and distributing certificates and prizes to award winners. Special thanks were given to Dr. Richard Mikula, Dr. W. P. Abeysinghe, Dr. T. Sarath Fernando, Dr. Charles H. Morgan Jr., Chair, Department of Mathematics, Dr. Jacinth A. Maynard and Dr. James Strayer for their assistance.
First, second, third and fourth place awards were presented for team contests and individual performances in Category I (9-10 graders) and Category II (11-12 graders). Winners were as follows:
Category I, Group Test: First place, Michael Karschner, Marilee Getgen and Matthew Leonard from Hughesville High School; Second Place, Lauren Easley, Noelle Goudy, and Lisa Zhao from Springside C. H. Academy; Third place, Evan Gruss, Alli Kissell and Jake Swank from Portage Area High School; Fourth place, Jessica Book, Anya Hoadlund, and Julia Stone from Bellefonte Area High School.
Category I, Individual Test: First place, Lisa Zhao from Springside C. H. Academy; Second place, Matthew Leonard from Hughesville High School; Third place, Shiloh Han from Springside C. H. Academy; Fourth place, Evan Gruss from Portage Area High School.
Category II, Group Test: First place, Mengchen Zhang from Springside C. H. Academy; Second Place, Mitchel Myers, Chelsea Toner, and Zachary High from Central Mountain High School; Third place, Matthew Dabiero, Jane Li and Joshua Cetnar from Bellefonte Area High School; Fourth place, Andrew Wheeler, Adam Wasser, and Jocelynn Ziegmann from Central Mountain High School.
Category II, Individual Test: First place, Josiah Stickles from Bellefonte Area High School; Second place, Zachary High from Central Mountain High School; Third place, Joshua Cetnar from Bellefonte Area High School; Fourth place was a tie between Andrew Wheeler from Central Mountain High School and Nick Usury from Portage Area High School.
The Lock Haven University Department of Mathematics prepares students for success in their field. Students working toward the Bachelors of Science (B.S.) in Mathematics have the choice of three specialized tracks: the traditional track, the actuarial track, and the biomathematics track. In addition, the department offers the Bachelors of Education in Secondary Education with specialization in mathematics.
Lock Haven University graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics find employment in business, government, industry and the actuarial profession. Others have gone on to graduate schools for advanced degrees in the mathematical sciences at schools such as Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Villanova University, Southern Illinois University, Michigan State University, Florida State University, North Dakota State University, Western Michigan University and Bowling Green University. Those with a B.S. Education degree have found teaching positions throughout Pennsylvania and the country.
For more information, please contact Dr. Muhammad Aslam at 570-484-2198, or maslam@lhup.edu.