Ten students were recognized for their MATHCOUNTS Chapter participation. They include (front row, l-r): Madison Swesey, Hannah Bishop, Ryder Potts, Brenna Colglazier, Grace LaGrange, Chapter Coach Troy Kemling. Back: MATHCOUNTS representative Phil Hammar, Cooper Kroeker, Maylynn Walker, Preston Schwanebeck, Mason McGreer and Jacqueline Gloy.
Ryder Potts (center) was presented with his fourth place trophy in the regional MATHCOUNTS chapter competition. Troy Kemling (left) also received recognition as chapter coach. The awards were presented by regional MATHCOUNTS representative Phil Hammar of Kearney.
Potts fourth in regional math competition
Ten junior high students took part in this year’s Perkins County Schools MATHCOUNTS chapter competition which is coached by math teacher Troy Kemling.
Participants who took part in the competition were recognized in front of their peers during an assembly March 23 at the school.
Kemling also recognized Ryder Potts and Brenna Colglazier who represented the chapter in the regional chapter competition.
Potts placed fourth place in the regional with Colglazier finishing 14th.
Pott’s fourth place finish qualified him to compete in the state competition which was held March 25. Results of that competition have not yet been announced.
The program is sponsored by the National Society of Professional Engineers.
Retired engineer Phil Hammar of Kearney, the regional coordinator of the competition, presented Potts with a trophy for his accomplishments.
Hammar also presented a coach’s award to Kemling for having a student finish among the top six in the regional.
Hammer said the geographical region Perkins County competes in stretches from Grant to York to Beatrice, back west to McCook and back to Grant. It includes 36 schools.
The mission of the MATHCOUNTS program is to provide engaging math programs to middle school students of all ability levels to build confidence and improve attitudes about math and problem solving.
Students meet prior to school to prepare for the tests. One test includes answering 30 math questions in 40 minutes without the aid of a calculator.
The other test requires the students to answer four sets of two questions each, in a six-minute allotment for each set. Calculators can be used for this test.