PCC wins second place in Student Mathematics League competition for Southwest Region

Pima Community College has won second place in the 2006-2007 Student Mathematics League competition for the Southwest Region of the American Mathematics Association of the Two-Year College (AMATYC).

The College placed first for the Southwest Region in the 2005-2006 competition.

The annual competition was divided into two rounds and two different tests. Round 1 was in October 2006 and Round 2 was in February 2007. The cumulative score of both rounds determined the team winners of each regional division. In the Southwestern Region, 19 colleges in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma competed.

More than 330 PCC students participated in at least one exam. The top five PCC scorers in Round 1 were Johnathan Raymond, Abram Baliles, Aaron Best, Christopher King and Ryan Felix. In Round 2, the top five scorers were Chris Wilson, Frank Fimbres, Ryan Felix, Jesus Garcia and Danielle Johnson.

Danielle Johnson finished 12th in overall scoring and was recognized as the female with the highest cumulative score in the region. Ryan Felix finished 9th overall.

All PCC students were invited to participate. Each campus held the test on the same date and time, proctored by a moderator.

This year, Vantage West Credit Union awarded 19 high PCC scorers with $25 to $250 cash.

Sue Jensen, math faculty, and one of the five campus moderators said the competition encourages students to participate and helps them to overcome their fear of math.

“Unfortunately, there are many students who dread taking mathematics courses and who view math as painful drudgery,” Jensen said. “These exams reward creative thinking and problem solving, rather than knowledge, formulas or memory of procedures.”

The tests were made up of 20 multiple choice questions that covered college-level algebra, trigonometry and probability.

PRESS CONTACT: David Irwin, Executive Director for Public Information,

(520) 206-4528