Left to right, Geometry to Calculus Matt Erickson (Sterling), Conner Bohlken (Syracuse), Josh Meyer (Weeping Water), John Parrish (Sterling), Austin Walker (Norris), Cody Dreier (HTRS), Blake Bequette (Lourdes Central), Amanda Dunekacke (Johnson-Brock), Cody Minor (Beatrice), Victoria Vollmer (Falls City), Courtney Yoachim (Thayer Central).

(Peru, Neb.) Southeast Nebraska’s brightest high school mathematicians took top honors recently at Peru State College’s (PSC) 17th Annual Greater Southeast Nebraska Mathematics Challenge.

Event Coordinator Dr. Paul Hinrichs, PSC associate professor of mathematics, said, “The Greater Southeast Mathematics Challenge is a great way for students to showcase their mathematical skills in an environment that allows them to compete with similar sized schools. Judging by their exceptional grasp of numbers, the students who participated in the challenge have very bright futures.”

Sponsored by the PSC Mathematics Department, math club Alpha Mu Omega and ESU 4, the event featured teams of three from 13 area schools, including Beatrice, Falls City, Humboldt-Table Rock-Steineuer (HTRS), Johnson-Brock, Nebraska City, Nebraska City Lourdes, Norris, Pawnee City, Sterling, Syracuse, Tecumseh, Thayer Central, Tri-County and Weeping Water. The schools were divided into three divisions based on the size of their high school.

More than 150 students participated in team competitions consisting of a group calculator-based exam and quiz bowl. Individual exams were also given in calculus, pre-calculus, algebra and geometry. Faculty from competing schools participated in a teacher workshop about online assessments during the student competition, which was presented by PSC alum Angela Schmit.

Individual Champions

Geometry         

1. Matt Erickson of Sterling
2. Josh Meyer of Weeping Water
3. Conner Bohlken of Syracuse

Algebra

1. John Parrish of Sterling
2. Cody Dreier of HTRS
3. Austin Walker of Norris

Pre-calculus

1. Amanda Dunekacke of Johnson-Brock
2. Blake Bequette of Lourdes Central
3. Cody Minor of Beatrice

Calculus

1. Courtney Yoachim of Thayer Central
2. Victoria Vollmer of Falls City

Team Champions

Geometry         

1. Syracuse
2. Weeping Water
3. Sterling

              
Algebra

1. Norris
2. HTRS
3. Sterling

              
Pre-calculus     

1. Beatrice
2. Thayer Central
3. Johnson Brock

              
Calculus           

1. Falls City
2. HTRS