Students demonstrate academic excellence

Senior Gabriel Harms and instructor Sandra Buchholz discuss the content of the test. All of the SBHS students who took the test received a score of at least 50 percent correct answers. Photo by Cody Cline

Cody Cline, staff

On Feb. 25, 2015, 18 students from Sturgis Brown High School will compete in the 7th Annual MathCon competition. The first-round is an online test which, consists of 40 questions with a 40-minute time limit.

MathCon is an opportunity for students to challenge themselves mathematically as well as represent Sturgis Brown High School. The online test includes problems of varying levels of difficulty that allow all students to be equally challenged.

After the first-round, 1,000 top-scoring students will be invited to the MathCON finals at the University of Illinois, Chicago, to take the second-round, paper-based test in April. Cash prizes and other prizes will be awarded that day.

“This is the first year we have participated in the MathCon,” instructor Sandra Buchholz said, “it is a great way to promote mathematics and challenge students who enjoy and excel in mathematics.”

“I participated in this competition because I like math and I like to challenge myself,” SBHS sophomore Aaron Kukla said.

MathCon is an opportunity for students to challenge themselves mathematically as well as represent Sturgis Brown High School. The online test includes problems of varying levels of difficulty that allow all students to be equally challenged.

Buchholz said, “Students should have opportunities to go above and beyond the requirements of classroom mathematics and to demonstrate their excellent skills and knowledge.”

“It is important for students to participate in extracurricular activities that include math, such as MathCon because it helps them practice their math skills in a setting outside of the classroom,” instructor Matthew Mott said.

The students participating in the event include seniors Illianna Shuck, Jordan Smith, Jacqueline Stielow, John Wilson, Jason Schneider, Jordan Lienau, Dustin Fox, Seth Gerberding, Karli Wilson, Jacob Simmons, Gabriel Harms and Jackson Peterson; junior Kristen Anderson; sophomores Austin Shoun and Aaron Kukla; freshmen Cody Cline, Bridger Gordon and Grayson Nelson.