STRONGLAND INTERSCHOLASTIC MATHEMATICS LEAGUE
Nine High Schools Competing for Coveted Title
Finals, January 12, Forum Theatre
Students from nine area high schools had their math skills put to the test Nov. 1, for the first round of the StrongLand Interscholastic Mathematics League at Penn State New Kensington.
Sponsored by the StrongLand Chamber of Commerce's Educational Committee, the annual competition brings together students from Apollo-Ridge, Burrell, Ford City, Freeport, Kiski Area, Kiski School, Kittanning, Leechburg and Valley high schools and gives them the chance to go head-to-head with each other in an academic competition.
Each school has three teams of five students, competing against all the other teams in each round. Students answer two sets of eight questions. They are allowed 25 minutes to answer each set. The questions in algebra, geometry and other areas of mathematics are developed by David Wells, associate professor of mathematics at Penn State New Kensington.
At the end of the first round, the leaderboard is crowded as a mere six points separate the first- and third-place teams. Kiski School "A" tops the charts with 41 points followed closely by Kiski Area "A" with 36 points, and Burrell "A" at 35 points. Individually, Kelly Kuzemchak (Kiski Area) has the inside track for medalist honors with 12 points, three clear of six competitors with nine points each.
Scores carry over to the final round on Jan. 12 in the campus' Forum Theatre where team and individual champions will be crowned. Kiski School, a college preparatory boarding school in Saltsburg, Pa., is the three-time defending champion.
"The competition provides students with a positive mathematical experience," said Wells, author of two books on mathematics contests. "It exposes them to some challenging problems not normally encountered in the classroom and gives them an opportunity to interact with other students who enjoy mathematics."
For additional information, contact Wells at 724-334-6749 or dmw6@psu.edu.
LEADERBOARD
First Round
Kiski School A: 41
Kiski Area A: 36
Burrell A: 35
Freeport A: 31
Kiski School B: 29
Burrell C: 28
Freeport C: 28
Ford City A: 26
Leechburg A: 26
Burrell B: 26
Kiski Area C: 25
Apollo-Ridge A: 24
Freeport B: 24
Kittanning B: 24
Leechburg C: 23
Leechburg B: 22
Valley A: 19