By Kenney Kost/managing editor
Students can compete for more than $215,000 in scholarships and cash prizes in round two of the Jim Bolen Math Competition March 1.
Olena Shevchenko said round two is an opportunity for students to put their math skills to use to secure a scholarship. Students who did not participate in round one can still participate and earn top prizes in round two.
The test is designed for two-year college students. An understanding of college algebra and some trigonometry is helpful but not required, Shevchenko said.
“Some students are skeptical, thinking this is not for them or that they do not understand math enough to participate,” she said. “I want to encourage them to participate.”
Students enrolled in developmental math courses or not enrolled in a math section are welcome to participate as well, she said.
“Students in remedial math should try the competition,” she said, “especially if they plan to compete in the future once they are enrolled or have completed college algebra. Any student with an interest in math is welcome to and encouraged to enter the contest.”
Competing in both rounds is not necessary to be eligible to win scholarship opportunities, Shevchenko said.
“If a student receives the highest score above the established cutoff but only took the exam once, they would be eligible for consideration for scholarships,” she said.
The top score from each campus per round will win $100 each in cash prizes. The top 10 overall scores receive cash prizes from $1,000 for first place to $100 for 10th place, she said. Once the cutoff is established, universities will begin the scholarship process.
“The student with the highest score may not necessarily be awarded the biggest scholarship,” she said. “It depends on where they want to attend university. This just guarantees that they will get interviews and be put into the scholarship process.”
NE student Sesser Durden said he enjoyed participating last semester and hopes to have time for round two.
“I had a lot of fun taking the test last semester,” Durden said. “I like math, and I encourage students to take every opportunity they can to practice math. You will only get better.”
Durden said the resources to succeed in the competition or math in general are available to students in the math lab.
“The faculty and staff want to help you,” he said. “They love math, and they love to watch students succeed. Everything we needed to know for the test was provided, and several free workshops are given leading up to the competition to prepare students.”
To compete, candidates must be currently enrolled in a minimum of six hours at TCC and must not have achieved a two-year degree upon completion of the fall semester. Dual-credit students are eligible as long as they are taking six hours at TCC.
The competition will start at 1:30 p.m. on each campus.
For more information, call one of following coordinators:
NE Olena Shevchenko, 817-515-6463
NW Jeff Brignac, 817-515-7344
SE Danilea Kojouharov, 817-515-3412
South Maggie Foster, 817-515-4612
TR Carol Bearden, 817-515-1156
