LOCK HAVEN – More than 170 high school students from all over Pennsylvania participated in Lock Haven University’s seventh annual High School Mathematics Competition on Nov. 12.
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, PA Charter School, Portage Area High School, Southern Columbia High School and Warrior Run High School.
“I was thrilled to see the energy and enthusiasm about mathematics from a large group of young students,” said Dr. Muhammad Aslam, associate professor and chairperson of the mathematics department.
“It was a great pleasure to provide a platform for dedicated students to demonstrate their mathematical skills and elevate their intrigue of mathematical problem solving.”
All participating students were given an event T-shirt, and the winners were recognized with certificates and prizes.
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: AJ DeLorenzo, Braden Kronheim and Sam Haseman, Carlisle High School; Second place: Jeremiah Stickles, Brien McChesney and Brian Feldman, Bellefonte Area High School; Third place: Morgan Jacobs, Katelyn McGraw and Elly Sherman, Hughesville High School; Fourth place: Elijah Shemory, Dylan Fox and Zeke Miller, Jersey Shore Sr. High School.
Category I, Individual Test: First place: Braden Kronheim, Carlisle High School; Second place: Tori May, Central Mountain High School; Third place: Richie Shaffer, Clearfield Area High School; Fourth place: Olivia Karshcner, Hughesville High School.
Category II, Group Test: First place: Josiah Stickles, Patrick Scordato and Chauncy Blakeslee, Bellefonte Area High School; Second place: Kimberly McKee and Yeechian Low, PA Cyber Charter School; Third place: Olivia Green, Kathy Koschoff-Rapkin and Natalie George, Southern Columbia High School; Fourth place: Kristen Bell, Matt Feldman and Emma Smith, Bellefonte Area High School.
Category II, Individual Test: First place was a tie between, Yeechian Low, PA Cyber Charter School and Josiah Stickles, Bellefonte Area High School; Second place: Matt Feldman, Bellefonte Area High School; Third place: Natasha Neevis, Mount Carmel Area High School; Fourth place: Julia Stone, Bellefonte Area High School.
Aslam thanked all those who made the event such a success. Dr. Donna Wilson, provost and vice president for academic affairs, and Dr. Scott Carnicom, dean of the College of Natural, Behavioral and Health Science, gave a welcome address and highlighted the importance of mathematics.
“Our annual math competition is a fantastic way to showcase our talent and passion within our University, College, and Math Department,” said Carnicom. “Math is the universal language of science and technology, and our faculty and students are doing great things to encourage interest and excellence in this critical field.”
Many of LHU’s faculty members were involved in the process. Dr. Jim Strayer gave a talk on the topic “Iteration” and helped in distributing prizes, Dr. W. P. Abeysinghe created group exams, Dr. Charles H. Morgan Jr. created individual test for category II and helped in administering and grading tests, Dr. Jacinth A. Maynard helped grading exams and distributing certificates, and Dr. Rich Mikula created individual exams for category I.
The Lock Haven University Department of Mathematics prepares students for success in their field. Students working toward the Bachelor’s degree in mathematics have the choice of three specialized tracks: the traditional track, the actuarial track and the biomathematics track. In addition, the department offers a Bachelor of Science 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 school 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 Bachelor’s degree in education have found teaching positions throughout Pennsylvania and the United States.