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A determined group of problem solvers from Carmel High
School ended Terre Haute South High School’s domination of the Rose-Hulman
Institute of Technology Mathematics Competition by a slim eight-point margin
on Saturday.
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Champion Mathletes: Carmel High School students gather for a
group photograph after winning this year’s Rose-Hulman Institute of
Technology Mathematics Competition, breaking rival Terre Haute South
High School’s 10-year run as overall school champions. |
More than 400 scholars from 23 high
schools in Indiana, Illinois and Iowa participated in the contest, one of
the Midwest’s largest high school academic competitions.
Students had one hour to complete 20
questions in a wide range of mathematics categories.
This year’s test featured tougher questions than previous years, when
seven students had perfect 100-point scores, according to contest organizer
John Rickert, mathematics professor at Rose-Hulman.
There were only two perfect scores this year.
Carmel and Terre Haute South were consistent in all four grade levels of
competitions. Terre Haute South,
winners of 10 straight team titles (1999-2008), had the first-place team
among seniors and freshmen, while being third in both the junior and
sophomore grades. Meanwhile,
Carmel was dominant among juniors, earning first place by a 137-
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Another Perfect Score: Sachin Shinde of Terre Haute South High
School had a perfect 100-point score to win the senior class
division of this year's Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Mathematics Competition. Congratulated Shinde on the honor were
Allen Broughton, head of Rose-Hulman's mathematics department, and
contest co-organizer/math professor Cara Brooks. |
point over
Terre Haute South. Carmel was
also second among seniors.
Third-place Iowa City West of Iowa was also very competitive in third place.
“The contest was unpredictable and the outcome was unpredictable,” stated
Terre Haute South senior Sachin Shinde, Indiana’s 2009 Mr. Math who captured
his third straight class division title –- with one of the perfect scores.
“Sure, we’re disappointed, but Terre Haute South will be back.
This will motivate the younger grade classes to be ready in the
future,” Shinde stated. He
joined senior classmates Peter Bittar, Andrew Huh and John Ryan in winning
their class division for the fourth straight year.
“We have been together since (Honey Creek) middle school.
We’re going out as champions,” stated Ryan.
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Top Juniors: Jeffrey Shen of Park Tudor High School and Matt
Staib of Iowa City West High School tied for first place honors in
the junior class division of this year’s Rose-Hulman Institute of
Technology Mathematics Competition. Presenting the award were Allen
Broughton, head of Rose-Hulman’s Department of Mathematics, and
contest co-organizer Alberto Condori, visiting professor of
mathematics. |
Carmel Mathematics Teacher Kathie Freed stated her students were focused on
achieving what might have been considered impossible -– defeating Terre
Haute South in its hometown.
“One of our goals this year was to win this contest, after being so close
and losing out in past years,” the teacher stated.
“It took a total team effort.
We have great kids and it took getting everyone together at the same
time and in the same time. Then,
we needed to score well in every grade group."
Joining Shinde as class champions were Alex Barksdale of Terre Haute South,
tops among freshmen; Lyndon Ji of Carmel, first among sophomores with a
perfect 100-point score; and Matt Staib of Iowa City West and Jeffrey Shen
of Park Tudor, first among juniors.
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Top Sophomores: Marissa Stephens of Indianapolis’ North Central High School
and Lyndon Ji of Carmel High School received book prizes as the top male and
female sophomore place finishers in this year’s Rose-Hulman Institute of
Technology Mathematics Competition. Making the award presentation were Allen
Broughton, chair of Rose-Hulman’s Department of Mathematics, and Mathematics
Professor Thomas Langley. |
Barksdale joined Deborah Lee of Terre Haute South in earning book prizes
provided in memory of Sally Shonk, a former Vigo County teacher, for being
the top male and female freshman finishers.
Ji and Marissa Stephens of Indianapolis’ North Central High School were
honored with book prizes as the top male and female sophomore place
finishers. The awards were in
memory of Mary Rhein, a teacher who coordinated the contest in West Chester,
Ohio, for several years.
Indiana schools competing included Brebeuf
Jesuit Preparatory, Castle, Center Grove, Covenant Christian, the Culver
Academies, Fishers, Hamilton Southeastern, Lutheran, Perry Meridian, Scecina,
South Vermillion, Terre Haute North, Warsaw and West Vigo. Champaign’s
Central and Urbana represented Illinois. Students from Indianapolis'
Signature School and Terre Haute's Honey Creek middle school also
participated in the competition but weren't eligible for team recognition.
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Shonk Award Winners: Alex Barksdale and Deborah Lee of Terre
Haute South High School earned honors for having the top male and
female scores in the freshman division of this year's Rose-Hulman
Institute of Technology Mathematics Competition. The book prizes
came from a fund established to honor former Vigo County teacher
Sally Shonk. Presenting the awards were Allen Broughton (left),
chair of Rose-Hulman's Department of Mathematics, and Rose-Hulman
Mathematics Professor Allen Holder. |
Rose-Hulman mathematics professors John Rickert, Cara Brooks, Alberto
Condori and Zhixu Su are coordinating the contest, with assistance from
department secretary Jodi Daugherty. Test questions were compiled by
professor emeritus Herb Bailey. Other mathematics faculty members are
lending assistance. Members of Rose-Hulman's Pi Mu Epsilon mathematics
honor society, Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, Math Club and other
student volunteers assist with grading the tests.
Information about this year’s contest and results of past events can be
obtained at
www.rose-hulman.edu/%7Erickert/NovContest/.
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