A team of middle school mathletes from Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School won the Southeast Regional Mathcounts Competition held on Feb. 10. Mathcounts competitions are organized by the Alaska Society of Professional Engineers and are an annual middle school math competition at the local, regional, state and national level.
Twelve students from three middle schools competed in the Mathcounts Regional Competition. The three schools from the Juneau area were DHMS, Montessori Borealis and Floyd Dryden Middle School. Schools could bring one official team of four students participating and additional student competing as official individuals. Unofficial students are also encouraged to participate. Only official contestants are eligible for the state competition.
Students competed in written and fast-paced oral matches in subjects which include algebra, probability, statistics and geometry. Winners received prizes and trophies.
Members of the winning team from DHMS coached by Mary Borthwick are Addy Mallott, Krishna Bathija, Marina Lloyd and Edward Hu. The team will now advance to the state competition, held in Anchorage on March 24.
The top two people not on the qualifying team also advanced to state. They are Elizabeth Djajalie (first place individual) from Floyd Dryden Middle School and Alex Yu (third place individual) from Montessori Borealis.
The second place team, from Montessori Borealis, was coached by Bridget Braley. Team members are Alex Yu, Cahal Burnham, Annika Schwartz and Jin Yue Trousil.
The third place team, from Floyd Dryden Middle School, was coached by Mary Borthwick. Team members are Elizabeth Djajalie, Chris Degener, and Joshua Pierson.
Mathcounts is a nationwide program designed to improve math skills among U.S. students. Sponsors target 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students, who are at a crucial stage in developing and sustaining math interest and ability.
Mathcounts is a volunteer nonprofit organization. Its national sponsors cover expenses at the national competition, but all state and chapter competitions are funded locally. Local sponsors are Begenyi Engineering, LLC, Dahlberg Design, LLC, Electric Power Systems, Haight & Associates, Inc., Jensen Yorba Lott, Inc., Morris Engineering Group, LLC, NorthWind Architects, LLC, PDC Inc. Engineers, PND Engineers, Inc., R & M Engineering, Inc. Ketchikan, Tetra Tech, Inc., and Wilson Engineering Inc. Leadership is provided by members of the Alaska Engineering Education Foundation and the Alaska Society of Professional Engineers.
This year’s volunteers included engineers Pat Gorman, P.E., Nimmy Phillips, P.E., Aaron Morrison, P.E., and Ethan Romerling & Stephen Bishop; architect Robert Minch, AIA; and local volunteers Jo Anne Wilson and Malin Murray.
Juneau Douglas High School teacher Steve Potter helps every year as the event’s school liaison. For more information about Mathcounts, contact Douglas Murray, P.E., Southeast Alaska Mathcounts Coordinator at 780-6151.
