On Thursday, February 29th, the Fair Grove Mathletes Team took a trip down to Forsyth in order to compete in the Mid Lakes Conference Math Competition, taking 3rd place on the Algebra I and Geometry Individual and Team portion of the competition.
Susanne Feldman, a mathematics teacher and co-sponsor of the mathematics competition program at Fair Grove High School, described the competition as, “an opportunity for our students to compete against students in the same course from the other schools in our conference.”
At the competition, there were multiple classrooms designated for different events where students were able to compete. Each competition took place, and then awards were given out after all of the competitions had been completed.
In order to prepare for the competition, members reviewed flashcards and concepts they had previously learned, to refresh their memory from previous years.
Amber Clemens (11), College Algebra Student and mathlete competitor, attended her first competition this year with not much hope, just wanting to try something new, and left with winning 3rd place for Algebra II Teams, by herself.
Clemens stated, “the most enjoyable part was surprising myself. Going into the competition I was thinking I wasn’t going to place. Walking out of the competition I had a 3rd place medal around my neck.” Clemens is planning on participating again her senior year.
Clemens was not the only competitor who placed. Ty Hart (7) took third place in Algebra 1 Individual and third in Algebra 1 Team with Aubrey Dickens (9) and Alice McMains (9). Madison Crews (9) took third in Geometry Individual, and third in Geometry Team with Brylee Mallard (9).
Charlie Harp (12), a math competition veteran, competed in his third and final MLC Math Competition this year. “I participated in two events, the first was the Individual Open Division and the second was the Team Open Division. These events contained questions that ranged anywhere from College Algebra, all the way up to Calculus,” according to Harp.
Although Harp did not place, the most enjoyable part of the competition for him was realizing that he still had the capability to complete the problems, despite not previously believing he would be able to. He also enjoyed being able to see and talk to his friends from other schools that he would otherwise not be able to spend time with.
The Fair Grove High School Mathletes have an upcoming competition planned for April 10th, 2024. Titled the Pummill Math Relays, the competition will be taking place at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri from 9 am to 1 pm.
