Portage Area High School students display their skills in LHU Math Competition

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Dr. Charles Morgan addresses students at Lock Haven University's 4th Annual Math Competition

LOCK HAVEN, PA (11/16/2011)(readMedia)-- Over 130 high school students from Central Pennsylvania participated in the Lock Haven University Fourth Annual High School Mathematics Competition on November 15, 2011. Participating high schools were Bellefonte Area High School, Central Mountain High School, Clearfield Area High School, Hughesville High School, Mount Carmel Area High School, Portage Area High School, Southern Columbia High School and Warrior Run High School.

Hosted by the Department of Mathematics, the competition provided an opportunity for academically talented students from different high schools to learn more about mathematics, to meet one another, and to engage in friendly competition to test and stretch their skills.

In his welcoming remarks, department chair Dr. Charles Morgan stressed the importance of math. "The country needs young people strong in mathematics. This is a matter of economic success and national security." He told the students, "Your generation has to be the next strong group of mathematicians."

Dr. Muhammad Aslam, associate professor of mathematics and competition coordinator, said "I am thrilled to see the excitement of these talented high school students working hard solving mathematical problems. Many of these promising students go on to pursue careers in the mathematical and physical sciences including engineering and I am pleased that we at Lock Haven University are a part of the process."

After the individual and group competitions, the students enjoyed lunch in Bentley Dining Hall, followed by a faculty talk on "Estimating 'pi' Using a Needle and a Ruled Paper" by Dr. W. P. Abeysinghe.

The award ceremony was the high point of the event. The winners were recognized, certificates and prizes were awarded by Dr. James K. Strayer. All participating students received an event tee shirt. This year's shirts had a tongue-in-cheek saying on the back: "Math puns are the first sine of madness."

First, second, third and fourth place awards were presented for team contests and individual performances in Category I (9-10 graders) and Category II (11-12 graders). Winners were as follows:

Category I, Group Test: First place, Joshua Centar, Josiah Stickles and Mitchell Grasser from Bellefonte Area High School; Second Place, Tessa Breon, Adam Wasser and Andrew Wheeler from Central Mountain High School; Third place, Spencer Jones, Hannah Avery and Abby Sherman from Hughesville High School; Fourth place, Amy Rabb, Michelle Mostowy and Emily Hamel from Hughesville High School.

Category I, Individual Test: First place, Joshua Centar from Bellefonte Area High School; Second place, Spencer Jones from Hughesville High School; Third place, Josiah Stickles from Bellefonte Area High School; Fourth place, Ali Varano from Mount Carmel High School.

Category II, Group Test: First place, Lindsay Fox and Victoria Kissell from Portage Area High School; Second Place, Troy Scorn, Conner Corrente and Alexa Layo Portage Area High School; Third place, Taylor Getty, Kevin Mekosh and Cody Shustack from Mount Carmel Area High School; Fourth place, Benjmin Jones, and Ross Jones from Central Mountain High School.

Category II, Individual Test: First place, Logan Bechdel from Central Mountain High School; Second place, Ian Bookhamer from Clearfield Area High School; Third place, Kevin Mekosh from Mount Carmel Area High School; Fourth place, John Fisher from Central Mountain High School.

Dr. Aslam thanked all those who made the event such a success. Dr. David White, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, and Dr. Zak Hossain, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, attended the competition, addressed the students, and provided financial support for the event. The Lock Haven University admissions department also provided financial support and assistance. In addition to giving an engaging presentation, Dr. W. P. Abeysinghe helped proctor and grade tests. Dr. Richard Mikula created exams and helped in administering, proctoring and grading tests. Dr. Charles H. Morgan Jr., department chair, addressed the participants, and helped arrange gifts and refreshments, and played his role as a chairperson throughout the entire process from day one. Dr. T. Sarath Fernando and Professor Emeritus Carol Rehn assisted with proctoring and grading the exams. Dr. Jacinth A. Maynard also helped create exams.

Dr. Aslam also thanked the math department for their support and attendance, and thanked the LHU mathematics students who helped proctor the exams, assisted with registration, and helped design the tee shirts. He also thanked department secretary Lisa A. Kiser for all her assistance. Dr. Aslam recognized the Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of Mathematics (PCTM) for its financial assistance and the important role it plays in promoting mathematics in the United States.

The Lock Haven University Department of Mathematics prepares students for success in their field. Students working toward the B.S. in Mathematics have the choice of three specialized tracks: the traditional track, the actuarial track, and the biomathematics track. In addition, the department offers the B.S. Ed. in Secondary Education with Specialization in Mathematics.

Lock Haven University graduates with a B.S. degree in mathematics find employment in business, government, industry and the actuarial profession. Others have gone on to graduate schools for advanced degrees in the mathematical sciences at schools such as Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Villanova University, Southern Illinois University, and Michigan State University. Those with a B.S. Education degree have found teaching positions throughout Pennsylvania and the country.

Lock Haven University is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), the largest provider of higher education in the commonwealth. Its 14 universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. Nearly 405,000 system alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.

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