DHS Math Students excel in Trigonometry competition

DHS math students Hailey Jones, Jet Valenga and Ike Valenga proved  their Trigonometric prowess by taking the top three places in the Dodgeville High School Trig-Star 2012 competition.  Haley took third place, Ike second and Jet first in the contest administered at the high school by the Southwest  chapter of the Wisconsin Society of Land Surveyors.

The competition involves students taking a test.  They are given an hour to complete a series of trigonometric problems and the student with the best score in the least amount of time is named the winner. 

The Trig-Star completion is based on practical applications of trigonometry as used by land surveyors.  The local programs typically include a presentation on land surveying to a math class followed by the math competition.

Students compete both within the DHS as well as with students around the state.

Jet Valenga placed second place in the state with a score of 94% in 28 minutes. Two hundred twelve students at 13 schools participated.

The competition is sponsored by  the Wisconsin Society of Land surveyors (WSLS) and the National Society of Professional Surveyers. 

Fred Bowden, WSLS member and sponsor of the contest emphasizes that it is generally the brightest math students from around the state that participate, so a win takes on added significance.    “This is the top of the top.  The cream of the cream takes the test,”  said  Bowden.