Winners in the 3rd Annual Lock Haven University High School Mathematics Competition show off their award certificates.

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. -Over 120 high school students from Central Pennsylvania participated in the Lock Haven University Third Annual High School Mathematics Competition on November 18, 2010. Participating high schools were Bellefonte Area High School, Central Mountain High School, Clearfield Area High School, Hughesville High School, Mount Carmel Area High School, Portage Area High School and Southern Columbia High School.
Hosted by the Department of Mathematics, the competition provided an opportunity for academically talented students from different high schools to learn more about mathematics, to meet one another, and to engage in friendly competition to test and stretch their skills.
Dr. Richard Mikula, assistant professor of mathematics and competition coordinator, said that “It was a pleasure to see a love and appreciation of mathematics in the participating high school students. I hope that many of these talented students go on to pursue careers in the mathematical sciences, and I am pleased that we at Lock Haven University can be a part in encouraging them to do so.”
After the individual and group competitions, the students enjoyed lunch in Bentley Dining Hall, followed by a faculty talk on mathematics and knot theory by Dr. Angela Pile.
The day’s events culminated in an awards ceremony.
First, second, third and fourth place awards were presented for team contests and individual performances in Category I (9-10 graders) and Category II (11-12 graders). Winners were as follows:
Category I, Group Test: First place, Kyle Bomboy, Ashley McCracken and Travis Mosier from Hughesville High School; Second Place, Josh Cetnar, Tod Confer and Frankie Muzika from Bellefonte Area High School; Third place, Eric Miller, Charles Shaner and Emily Temple from Hughesville High School; Fourth place, Ben Jones and Ross Jones from Central Mountain High School
Category I, Individual Test: First place, Zachary Nolan from Portage Area High School; Second place, Joshua Cram from Bellefonte Area High School; Third place, Aaron Kelly from Central Mountain High School; Fourth place, Tod Confer from Bellefonte Area High School.
Category II, Group Test: First place, Raissa Berry, Sean Cronauer and Troy Scoran from Portage Area High School; Second Place, Ian Bookhamer, Jill Jacobs and Jordan McAllister from Clearfield Area High School; Third place, Aramani Caprio, Billy Muzika and Henley Sinner from Bellefonte Area High School; Fourth place, Taylor Domasky, Kaitlyn Fink and Amber Hendricks from Southern Columbia High School
Category II, Individual Test: First place, Catherine George from Portage Area High School; Second place, Kevin Mekosh from Mount Carmel Area High School; Third place, Taylor Getty from Mount Carmel Area High School; Fourth place, Jill Jacobs from Clearfield Area High School.
All participating students received event t-shirts.
After the event, Dr. Mikula thanked all those who made the event such a success. Dr. Deborah Erickson, provost and vice president for academic affairs, and Dr. David L. White, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, attended the competition, addressed the students, and provided financial support for the event. The Lock Haven University admissions department also provided financial support and assistance. In addition to giving an engaging presentation on Knot Theory, Assistant Professor Angela Pile helped to coordinate the event and proctor the tests. Associate Professor Muhammad Aslam provided guidance and assistance with organizing the competition and helped with proctoring and grading the exams. Assistant Professor Jacinth A. Maynard helped to create the exams. Associate Professor Charles H. Morgan Jr. proctored and graded exams and gave a presentation during the closing ceremonies. Assistant Professor and Department Chair Carol Rehn helped with organizing the event, food and gift preparations, and grading assistance. Emeritus Professor Mark Seeber and Associate Professor T. Sarath Fernando assisted with proctoring and grading the exams.
Dr. Mikula also thanked the math department for their support and attendance, and thanked the LHU mathematics students who helped proctor the exams, assisted with registration, and helped with designing the t-shirts and making arrangements to have them produced. He also thanked Department Secretary Lisa A. Kiser for all her assistance.
The Lock Haven University Department of Mathematics prepares students for success in their field. Students working toward the B.S. in Mathematics have the choice of three specialized tracks: the traditional track, the actuarial track, and the biomathematics track. In addition, the department offers the B.S. Ed. in Secondary Education with Specialization in Mathematics.
Lock Haven University graduates with a B.S. degree in mathematics find employment in business, government, industry and the actuarial profession. Others have gone on to graduate schools for advanced degrees in the mathematical sciences at schools such as Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Villanova University, Southern Illinois University, and Michigan State University. Those with a B.S. Education degree have found teaching positions throughout Pennsylvania and the country.