Local Mathletes compete in 2020 regional math contest
A team of middle school Mathletes from Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School won the Southeast Regional MATHCOUNTS Competition held on Feb. 8. MATHCOUNTS competitions are organized by the Alaska Society of Professional Engineers and is an annual middle school math competition at the local/regional, state and national level.
Eleven students from three middle schools competed in the MATHCOUNTS Regional Competition. The three schools from the Juneau area were Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School, Montessori Borealis and Floyd Dryden Middle School. Schools could bring one official team of four students participating and additional students competing as official individuals. Unofficial students are also encouraged to participate. Only official contestants are eligible for the state competition.
Teachers, coaches and students have been preparing for the SE Regional Competition since early fall. 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 Dzantik’ Heeni Middle School coached by Mary Borthwick are: Edward Hu (2nd Place Individual), Serena Crupi (4th Place Individual), Mahi Bhatt and Adelyn Buss. The team will now advance to the state competition, held in Anchorage on March 21.
In addition to the top team, the top two individuals not on the qualifying team will advance to the state competition. Those individuals are: Elizabeth Djajalie (1st Place Individual) and Joshua Pierson (3rd Place Individual) both from Floyd Dryden Middle School.
The second place team from Floyd Dryden Middle School was coached by Mary Borthwick. Team members are Elizabeth Djajalie, Joshua Pierson, and Haylie Burlie.
The third place team from Montessori Borealis was coached by Bridget Braley. Team members are Ferguson Wheeler, Anita Morrison, Kyra Wood, and Dashel Culbreth.
In an email, MATHCOUNTS Southeast Alaska Coordinator Doug Murray thanked the following local sponsors to help cover expenses: Begenyi Engineering, Boreal Controls, Mary Borthwick, Dahlberg Design, LLC, Haight & Associates, Inc., Jensen Yorba Wall, Inc., Morris Engineering Group, MRV Architects, NorthWind Architects, PDC Engineers, PND Engineers, Inc., and Wilson Engineering. Murray also thanked the following volunteers: engineers – Pat Gorman, P.E., Aaron Morrison, P.E., Mark Pusich, P.E., Ethan Roemeling, Janice and Brett Wells, Dominic McGonegal, and Architect Robert Minch, AIA; Steve Potter and Alexandra Razor, Juneau-Douglas High School teachers who help every year as our school liaison; and Juneau’s Imagination Station for providing countdown prizes.
