Local students win $18,000 in scholarships at math challenge

Local students win $18,000 in scholarships at math challenge

After the pencils were put down and the calculators were put away, local high school students were awarded $18,000 in scholarships to attend The Ohio State University at Marion and Marion Technical College. 105 students from six area schools (Elgin, Harding, Highland, North Union, Pleasant, and River Valley) came to the Marion campus to test their math prowess in the annual OSUM/MTC Marion Math Challenge.

First place winners in each grade received $1,000 scholarship from both institutions. Second place winners in each grade earned a $750 scholarship from both institutions. 3rd place winners in each grade earned $500 scholarships from both Ohio State Marion and Marion Technical College.

After the exam, the students at the competition heard a talk on the numerous practical applications of the mathematical notion of 'metric spaces' from Ohio State Marion Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Dr. Scott Zimmerman.

"Mathematics is an essential base for the high demand STEM professions in science, engineering, computers, and data analysis, but it is also something I use every day in in my non-STEM profession," said Ohio State Marion Dean and Director, Gregory S. Rose.

"Congratulations to the OSUM/MTC Marion Math Challenge winners. Mathematics drives innovation and problem-solving across all fields, and Marion Tech is proud to partner with Ohio State Marion on this event," said Marion Technical College President, Dr. Ryan McCall.

Ohio State Marion Incoming Acting Dean and Professor of Mathematics, Dr. John Maharry said, "The students in the competition should be proud of their accomplishments and problem-solving skills. Our congratulations to these students and we are confident these skills will serve them well in the future."

"The Marion campus is proud to host this annual event to showcase our area math students," said Marion Technical College Director of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Tyler Maley. "Congratulations to the students and teachers for their hard work. Mathematical reasoning and literacy are in-demand skills for all careers."

Scholarship Winners

9th Grade
1st Place: Cooper Schlaegel - Elgin
2nd Place: Lane Johnson - Pleasant
3rd Place: Wyatt Roby - North Union

10th Grade
1st Place: Josiah Kramp - Pleasant
2nd Place: Carter Glick - North Union
3rd Place: Matt Murphy - Pleasant

11th Grade
1st Place: Sarah Roby - North Union
2nd Place: Reagan Tway - Harding
3rd Place: Jacob Gasmire - River Valley

12th Grade
1st Place: Troy Harvey - North Union
2nd Place: Audrey Feasel - Harding
3rd Place: Shannon Malone - Harding

Team Winners

These include the top scorers from each school from all grades. The students received individual medals, and the school received a trophy.

1st Place: North Union High School
Team members include Carter Glick, Sarah Roby, Troy Harvey, Kayla Knox, Savannah Amstutz, and Graham Price

2nd Place: Harding High School
Team members include Audrey Feasel, Shannon Malone, Reagan Tway, Skylar Price, Al VanHorne, and Nikolai Hostetter

3rd Place: Pleasant High School
Team members include Josiah Kramp, Matt Murphy, Samantha Schmelzer, Brady Werling, Lane Johnson, and Addison Gierhart

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

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