Mathletes Compete in Local Olympics

March 7, 2019 Kelly Hogan

Students from 12 high schools in St. Lucie, Martin and Indian River counties flexed their mathematical muscles in the annual Math Olympics hosted by the Indian River State College Mathematics Department. Participants competed both individually and as teams from Clark Advanced Learning Center, Fort Pierce Westwood, Indian River Charter, Jensen Beach, John Carroll, Lincoln Park Academy, Martin County, Port St. Lucie, St. Edward’s, St. Lucie West Centennial, South Fork and Vero Beach high schools.

Competition was fierce as individual opponents started the day with a 40-question written exam assessing mastery of algebra, geometry and trigonometry. The 10-question team competition followed with extra incentives for first responders.

Callie Zheng of Lincoln Park Academy won first place in the individual competition, followed by Joseph Cachaldora of John Carroll High School. Zheng and Cachaldora each received a full, two-year scholarship to IRSC for their exemplary performance.

$Callie Zheng of Lincoln Park Academy was the highest individual scorer in the 2019 Math Olympics at IRSC. She is pictured here with Dr. Heather Belmont, IRSC Vice President of Academic Affairs, and Dr. Anthony Dribben, IRSC Assistant Dean of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.$

Callie Zheng of Lincoln Park Academy was the highest individual scorer in the 2019 Math Olympics at IRSC. She is pictured here with Dr. Heather Belmont, IRSC Vice President of Academic Affairs, and Dr. Anthony Dribben, IRSC Assistant Dean of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

First place in the team competition went to Jeremy Ortmann, Rohan Jakhete, Sol Scholl, and Varun Lakshmanan of South Fork High School. Vero Beach High School earned second place with the hard work of Andrew Keller, Chris In, Cody Lanier and Julia Lamothe. Each team winner received a gift bag with books, school supplies, puzzles and snacks.

$The South Fork Red Team swept the 2019 Math Olympics at IRSC. Pictured from left to right: Chris Bryan; Dr. Heather Belmont, IRSC Vice President of Academic Affairs; Rohan Jakhete; Jeremy Ortmann; Sol Scholl; Varun Lakshmanan; and Dr. Anthony Dribben, IRSC Assistant Dean of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.$

The South Fork Red Team swept the 2019 Math Olympics at IRSC. Pictured from left to right: Chris Bryan; Dr. Heather Belmont, IRSC Vice President of Academic Affairs; Rohan Jakhete; Jeremy Ortmann; Sol Scholl; Varun Lakshmanan; and Dr. Anthony Dribben, IRSC Assistant Dean of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

In addition to rigorous competition, participants had the opportunity to network with college instructors and tour the IRSC Main Campus in Fort Pierce.

For additional information about the Math Olympics event or the Math Department at IRSC, contact Duane Chin Quee at dchinque@irsc.edu or 772-462-7919.