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Health & Fitness

Lincoln-Way North students inducted into honorary math club

Inductees have shown a great passion for math and proven their excellence in the subject area, said Mu Alpha Theta President Alex Littleton.

   More than 150 Lincoln-Way North High School students were inducted into the Mu Alpha Theta honorary math club Wednesday night (March 27).

 

   The students qualified for induction by completing Geometry, being enrolled in or having completed Advanced Algebra or Trigonometry or higher, and maintaining a 3.0 grade point average or higher in all math courses. They also posted a 3.0 grade point average or higher in all other classes.

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   “Mu Alpha Theta is dedicated to inspiring a keen interest in math,” said Lincoln-Way North High School Principal Michael Gardner, who welcomed students, parents and faculty members to the induction ceremony Wednesday in the school auditorium.

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    Those inducted into the honorary club have shown a great passion for math and proven their excellence in the subject area, added Lincoln-Way North junior Alex Littleton, president of the school’s Mu Alpha Theta club.

 

    As members of Mu Alpha Theta, club members will have opportunities to hear guest speakers, hold fundraisers for the Della Hussey Scholarship Fund, host the Grade School Math Contest and participate in the Mu Alpha Theta National Convention.

 

   Among those inducted into honorary math club Wednesday were: Jillian Allen, Olivia Arias, David Arnold, Ryan Arnold, Ryan Arthur, Joshua Arvia, Zachary Bakouris, Kyle Barrera, Alicia Bastidas, Brooke Battaglin, Ariel Beja, Ramal Bell, Nicole Beringer, Connor Berry, David Blakeman, Megan Blomberg, Brittany Booth, Liam Brekke, Michael Brezinski, Daniel Brown, Elizabeth Brtis, Chloe Burch, Rachel Burkman, Brianna Cappos, Gretchen Carlson, Eddie Carroll, Carla Castaneda, Meghan Castrogiovanni, Jessica Catania, Alec Chase, Jacob Chudzik, Mary Ciszek, Amanda Cleofe, Madeline Conover, Kerrie Coughlin and Benjamin Coverick.

 

   Also inducted into Mu Alpha Theta were:  Alison DeBruyn, Jessica Demma, Gabrielle Denuna, Kristen Diehl, Connor Doherty, Bethany Dombkowski, Pamela Doody, James Dusek, Kelly Erdmann, Holt Erikson, Casey Ervick, Natalie Estrada, Austin Faller, William Fett, Meaghan Gallagher, Anna Gerlach, Ashleigh Glecier, Abigail Greenwood, Hadeel Hammad, Amy Harjung, Nathan Harnett, Robert Harrington, Brianna Hartney, Taylor Herrmann, Anja Hill, Alexandra Hodges, Margaret Hoeller, Michelle Housh, Brandy Huppert, Justine Ivanov, Jasmine Jody, Bryanna Johnson, Marissa Jones, Erin Julius and Matthew Juskie.

 

   Additional inductees included: Megan Kapala, Amanda Kemp, Claire Kenny, Kayla Kieklak, Kaitlyn Kilpatrick, Eric Kim, Joyce Kim, John Kinast, Matthew Koviekis, Matthew Kramer, Marson Lagatao, Payton Lang, Feng Li, Ian Mayster, Jonathan Mazanec, Jack McGuire, Patrick McGuire, Morgan McIntruff, Ryan McKalip, Alexis Meyer, Jason Miller, Katrina Mixson, Brenna Molinare, Jocelyn Moustis, Colleen Murray, Joshua Mutter, Madelyn Norkiewicz, Logan O’Shea, Natalie Paolella, Breanne Peacock, Nina Pelsi, Abigail Peterson, Samantha Pietruszynski, Kyle Pijarowski and Eric Prskalo.

 

   Also inducted into Mu Alpha Theta were: Michael Rissley, Laura Rovak, Ashley Schaller, Katherine Shatkus, Sunhan Shin, Megan Slavick, Alexandria Snedden, Kylie Snyder, Ali Stachowicz, Hailey Staunton, Savannah Stiglic, Nia Stringfellow, Matthew Strzelczyk, Joseph Sturino, Collin Swaim, Thomas Swierczyna, Korey Sykes, Shar Taylor, Molly Thacker, Nina Tholl, Fredeurika Toussaint, Jenna Trojniar, Kaitlyn Utsch, Danielle Vieni, Lauren Vitiritti, Nicolette Wagner, Nora Ward, Derrick Weidner, Michael Wells, Devin Werner, Dominic Witkowski, Madeline Witt, Alexandra Woehlert, Melissa Wortel, Kimberly Zralka, Brianna Zyer and Marc Zyla.

 

   Lincoln-Way North Associate Principal Lynn Merrick served as the keynote speaker. She admitted she was a little hesitant when math teacher and Mu Alpha Theta sponsor James Trayser asked her to speak at the induction ceremony.

 

   “I was an English teacher,” she explained. “It’s a little intimidating to talk to math minds here.”

 

   But through a little research, Merrick found “Everything I Need to Know I Learned from Math Class.” She shared how those lessons can be applied to life.

 

   “Break it down,” she began. “One of the first skills students learn in algebra is to break down a large problem into several easier ones, focusing on one step at a time. When you feel overwhelmed in life by what seems to be an insurmountable obstacle, try breaking it down into manageable tasks. You might just be amazed at what you can accomplish.”

 

   Other tips included:
• Ask for help
• Always be sure your pencil’s eraser works because you will make mistakes
• Maintain balance
• Build confidence
• Persevere

 

   “Math can be hard,” said Merrick. “So can life. In both cases, it takes stability and persistence to see difficulties through until the end. But realize that the rewards that come with determination and dogged spirit are so much sweeter than those that come without the sweat. The only way that failure is certain is if you do not try.”

 

   “So, think about life as a giant word problem” she concluded. “Take the lessons you’ve learned in math classes with you as you make your path, and your footing will be sure.”

 

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