Algebra, calculus, trigonometry and geometry were on the minds of St. Croix Central High School math students competing in the school’s annual Math Bee on Wednesday.
The competition was played like “Jeopardy,” but unlike the TV show, students had to give the answers to 30 math problems—not the questions.
Filling one room of the library were 30 players (all pre-qualified), alternates and spectators. The girls had a nice showing with 19 qualifying, and the all-girls Green Team taking first place.
The teams were drawn randomly, then seated at tables by colors. School calculators and scratch papers were handed out, pencils sharpened and the five six-member teams were ready for the competition.
The team captain to raise their hand the quickest with an answer was up first. If the question was missed by two teams, it was then discarded. There was a “final Jeopardy round” with the purple team having $600 to wager, the red team $800, and girls’ green team with $1,000.
The green team took the bee, ending up with $1,200.
Chesney Henry, a junior competing her third year, said she gets a little nervous when they miss a question, but she really enjoys the competition.
Angela Zanos, math teacher and bee co-chair, said her students love the challenge of the bee.
Winning team captain Jolena Dukes said she appreciated the teamwork of all the girls on the team. “This was a great opportunity for us to have fun with mathematics,” Dukes said.
The green team members were Jessica Alvarez, Amiah Huertas, Adriana Sanes, Emilee S. Calderon, Dukes and Elangeni Yabba.
