Regional Students Win $18,000 in Scholarships at Math Challenge

(Marion) After the pencils were put down and the calculators were put away, local high school students were awarded $18,000 in scholarships from Marion Technical College and The Ohio State University at Marion.

A total of 113 students from six area schools (Elgin, Harding, North Union, Pleasant, Ridgedale, and River Valley) came to the Marion Campus to test their math prowess in the annual OSU MTC Marion Math Challenge.

“Mathematics skills can take students to many growing, well-paying careers,” said Dr. Ryan McCall, president of Marion Tech. “These students have a bright future! We are proud to help them get to next!”

SCHOLARSHIPS:

First place winners in each grade received $1,000 scholarship to both colleges. Second place winners in each grade earned a $750 scholarship from both institutions. 3rd place winners in each grade earned $500 scholarships from both MTC and OSU.

9th Grade:

1st Place- Gracie Balog – Pleasant

2nd Place- Kayla Knox – North Union

3rd Place- Addison Gierhart – Pleasant

10th Grade:

1st Place- Maura Murphy – Pleasant

2nd Place- Lindsay Willis – North Union

3rd Place- Chase Osborne – River Valley

11th Grade:

1st Place- Benjamin Dunham – Pleasant

2nd Place- Kaitlyn Sutherland – Harding

3rd Place- Isaac Dillon – Elgin

12th Grade:

1st Place- Ashley Hayward – North Union

2nd Place- Keegan Johnson – Pleasant

3rd Place- Lilly Taylor –North Union

TEAM WINNERS:

These include the top scorers from each school from all grades. The students received individual medals and the school received a trophy. The name with the highest score is listed first.

1st Place: Harding High School

Team members include: Kaitlyn Sutherland, Adrian Shipley, Tucker Sloan, Jacob Beaschler, Asa Deeren and Mallori Ballinger

2nd Place: Pleasant High School

Team members include: Benjamin Dunham, Jonah Bowdle, Keegan Johnson,
Maura Murphy, Riley Shaffer and Trent Wilson

3rd Place: North Union High School

Team members include: Ashley Hayward, Lilly Taylor, Cayden Lassiter, Lindsay Willis,
Anna Crusey and Eric Snider

“Mathematics is an essential base for high demand professions in science, engineering, computers, and data analysis,” said Ohio State Marion Dean and Director, Gregory S. Rose. “Congratulations on taking on the challenge of excelling in mathematics. This will serve you well in the future.”

In addition to congratulating the participants and the winners, Marion Tech and Ohio State Marion would like to thank the Wm. Kay Davis Foundation for providing all trophies and awards.

Committee members who work organize the event, write the test, calculate the winners and prepare practice tests include: Micah Chrisman, Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Ohio State Marion; David Gorenflo, Tech Prep Consultant at Marion Tech; John Maharry, Professor of Mathematics at Ohio State Marion; Tyler Maley, Director of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at Marion Tech; Brian McEnnis, Professor of Mathematics Emeritus at Ohio State University Marion; and Sally O’Connor, Adjunct Faculty at Marion Tech; and Scott Zimmerman, Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Ohio State Marion.

“We feel the event infuses an element of fun and friendly competition into the academic environment and recognizes the scholarly achievements of our local high school students,” Gorenflo said. “The ultimate goal is to have a meaningful positive impact on the teaching and learning of mathematics.”

After a one year pause for COVID-19, this is the tenth year of the competition.