News

By Mary Beth Callahan

Lee University’s Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics recently hosted its first ever mathematics competition for high school students on Lee’s campus.

The mathematics competition teams consisted of high school students, with representation from each of the four grade levels. Participating high schools were Bradley Central High School, Christian Heritage School, Coahulla Creek High School, Northwest Whitfield High School, Southeast Whitfield High School, and Walker Valley High School.

The topics covered on the exam paralleled concepts included on the ACT or SAT such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, probability, and statistics. Scholarships to Lee University and other prizes were awarded to top scorers in the mathematics competition.

Tony Pham, a student at Christian Heritage, won a scholarship of $1,000 for his first place finish, Walker Valley High School’s Chanda Hughes won $500 for her second place finish, and Natalie Wright, from Northwest Whitfield High School, won $500 after being awarded the “best underclassman.”

In the team competition, Walker Valley High School took top honors, while second place went to Christian Heritage and Northwest Whitfield High School took third place.

“The mathematics faculty thoroughly enjoyed hosting the mathematics competition,” said Dr. Laura Singletary, assistant professor of mathematics at Lee. “It was wonderful to have students and teachers come together because of their love of mathematics.”

The competition is funded in part by the Mathematical Association of America’s Dolciani Mathematics Enrichment Grant Program. This grant will also support a mentorship program for the 2014-15 school year, which will partner selected high school students with mentors from Lee.

For more information about the mathematics competition, please contact Singletary at [email protected].

Pictured here with Lee President Dr. Paul Conn are team competition winners Walker Valley High students (back row, l to r) Sam Griffey, Jacob Judd, Lacie Faulkner, Nikki Prugh, Vince Rollins, and Conn; (kneeling) Chanda Hughes.

(Photo taken by Suzanna Joy Photography)