While x and y may be parts of a foreign language to some, they were music to the ears of a group of high school students who competed with their peers at the sectional meet of the Illinois Math Competition last weekend.
Held at St. Xavier University in Chicago, the competition featured students from nine schools vying for the opportunity to attend the state competition held at ISU in Bloomington-Normal.
Students took written tests in Algebra I and II, geometry and pre-calculus. There was an eight-person team event and a two-person team event, as well as oral presentations.
While waiting for the final results, which sent Homewood-Flossmoor to the state meet, the 250 students remained clustered with their fellow classmates, breaking the tension by listening to Walkmans, playing cards or just chatting quietly.
For freshmen Erika Jones and Meghan Fulica of Thornwood High School, it was their first regional competition. “It’s fun. Besides doing math, you get to meet people,” Jones said
“You get to see what you’re doing and how you’re doing,” Fulica said.
Homewood-Flossmoor seniors Francis Alenghat and Peter Kaplan have been teammates since 5th grade. “It’s a challenge. I love the competition,” Alenghat said.
“I enjoy the day of doing problems and there’s always a chance to improve,” Kaplan said.
Junior Kathleen Barry, also of Homewood-Flossmoor, said the event provides a chance for “nerds to meet other nerds.”
“Everybody has a lot of fun. I learn a lot things and you get to solve these crazy problems no one ever thought of,” Barry said.
