By Martina Treviño/reporter
Jesus Aldape could multiply and divide by the age of 3, and that knowledge paid off when he took first in the 2008 Jim Bolen Mathematics Competition last week on NW Campus.
Unable to teach him English, Aldape’s mother taught him math. Her early instruction helped earn Aldape $750 and a full tuition scholarship valued at more than $50,000 to TCU.
The districtwide competition is the legacy of its namesake, Dr. James C. Bolen, who served as mathematics department chair on NE Campus.
NW Campus sponsored the 20th annual event.
Dr. Elva LeBlanc, NW president, presided over the evening’s activities.
The more than 120 students who participated in this year’s competition were tested on their knowledge of algebra, trigonometry, geometry and analytical geometry in two exams.
The three highest scoring students from each campus received cash awards ranging from $50 to $250 for their achievement.
The third-, second- and first-place scorers districtwide, Daniel Lott, Tuong Le and Aldape received cash awards of $300, $400 and $750 respectively.
Bob Bolen and Mrs. Jim Bolen announced the winners.
The University of Texas at Arlington, Tarleton State University, Baylor and Texas Christian University gave the largest awards in the form of scholarships.
Tarleton State University awarded Jessica Brown, Lauren Mathers, Hoa Tran, Nguyen Huy Duc Le, and Aldape scholarships for either $2,800 or $3,400.
Baylor University presented $10,000 scholarships to Nguyen Huy Duc Le and Hoa Tran.
UTA, in its first year to participate in the awards, gave $1,500 each to Chris Athon, Jessica Brown, Blake Farmer, Jessica Harris and Lauren Mathers.
Several students received multiple scholarship awards to different universities and will have to decide which to accept.
Erma Johnson Hadley, TCC vice chancellor for administrative and community services, encouraged university representatives to consider giving scholarship money declined by the winners to students who were not awarded in the competition.
Dr. Bob Doran, TCU math department chair, said the Jim Bolen Math Competition “has changed the face of the math department at TCU.”
He recognized three former recipients who are now in graduate studies before awarding a full-tuition scholarship worth $53,800 to Aldape.
Aldape’s family was unable to attend because his brother was having his wedding rehearsal.
“I was late because I’m the best man,” he said.
Aldape was glad to receive all the awards and to give his family another reason to celebrate.
“I’ll give the money to my parents and take the scholarship to TCU so I can stay close to home,” he said.
