By Samantha Sutton/reporter
TCC students districtwide competed in round one of the Jim Bolen Math Competition Nov. 8 for cash prizes and college scholarships.
This round was the first of two to determine winners. Students were given one hour to complete a 20-question multiple-choice test. These math problems did not exceed college algebra level.
Students can win half-tuition to some of the most sought-after schools in the DFW area. The University of Texas at Arlington and Texas Christian University are just two of the many colleges involved with this competition. The TCC Foundation works closely with these universities to form as many scholarship opportunities for students as possible.
NE math associate professor Olena Shevchenko, in charge of the NE competition, said several students have received scholarships in past years. Students prepare for the competition for a long time, and then by the time they are ready, the student is ready to graduate, she said. Shevchenko stressed the importance of preparing for this opportunity as early as possible.
“My biggest advice to students is to try to participate early,” she said. “Even if you do not plan to transfer from TCC, placing in the competition can be used as a negotiating tool for future transfers and looks really good on resumes.”
NE students Michelle Ahmann and Jessica Kenney said overall the testing went well.
“I wasn’t nervous because it was a win-win situation,” Ahmann said. “If you don’t do well, it doesn’t affect your grade at all, but if you do well, the results are very rewarding.”
Kenney was confident with her results.
“I feel like I did pretty well,” she said. “And I am excited for T-shirts and the possibility of winning a scholarship.”
Following round two of the competition in the spring, winners will be announced at an awards ceremony.
