Local students compete in national math test

Sixty sixth, seventh and eighth graders at Sisters Middle School last month competed in the Math Association of America's annual middle school national math competition, the AMC 8. The top 22 scorers were recognized at a special ceremony at the middle school on Thursday, December 20.

Eighth grader Conor Greaney was singled out as the school's top competitor. He received a special commemorative pin as recognition for his outstanding achievement.

"I am kind of surprised I won," said Conor. "I thought Elliott Yoakum would win, because he goes to high school math, but my brother, he's really good at math, so it kind of runs in the family I guess."

When Conor mentions his brother as being good in math, he's not kidding. Senior Brian Greaney received a perfect score on the math section of the SAT exam.

Other eight graders winners were Elliott Yoakum and Brian Henson, who received second place, silver certificates. Third place, bronze honors were shared by Daniel Bennett, Sam Bearzi, Courtney Blust, Jared Early and Amity Calvin, with honorable mention certificates awarded to Brett Pray and Tim Wonderly.

In the seventh grade first place certificates were given to Milea Butler and Riley Cox. Nathan Payutee received second place honors, and third place went to Riley Barrett. Receiving honorable mention certificates were Katie Stewart and Hayden Jones.

First place winners in the sixth grade were Claire Henson, Crystal Reifschneider and Evan Rickards, and second place winners were Emily Corrigan, Jardon Weems and Zach Valoppi.

This year is the first time students from the middle school have participated in the competition. "It took place at the school. They were proctored. They were pulled out of the regular classroom environment," said computer and German teacher Isolde Hedemark, who also works with the school's TAG (Talented and Gifted) program.

The AMC 8 is a 25-question, multiple choice examination that students are given 40 minutes to complete. The test is designed to enhance problem solving skills. Problems range from easy to difficult and cover a broad spectrum of applications, with some designed to offer problem solving challenges beyond the skills levels normally taught in middle school. Calculators are not allowed.

In 2007, a total of 2,556 students from 36 Oregon middle schools participated in the competition. Of those, only one student statewide received a perfect score of 25 and a mere 41 students received a score of 20 or higher. Greaney received a score of 16.

According to the association's Web site, a key purpose of the test is to "...promote excitement, enthusiasm and positive attitudes towards mathematics and to stimulate interest in continuing the study of mathematics beyond the minimum required for high school graduation."

State-by-state statistics and additional statistics about Oregon participants are available at the Math Association of America's Web site http://www.maa.org. Click on "Competitions" and then navigate the links.