Math is a subject most students in HEHS are currently taking. From algebra to calculus, most students take a math class all four years of high school. However, many students dread going to class and dread the math tests that come with. Unlike typical math classes, the HEHS math team is a place where students don’t have to worry about the stress of a grade or test; instead, they work on their problem solving skills and critical thinking.
“I think too often in our math classes we get stuck on a specific curriculum we’re doing, we don’t get to do fun outside-the-box thinking, and that’s what math team is all about,” said Coach Kyle Engels, math department.
Though there are meets around the year, math team is not only centered on competition but community and team work as well. While some parts of math team are solo, the math team is a team and everyone works together to achieve success.
“You can work as a team to solve math problems, and it really works on your problem solving skills and your teamwork skills,” said Abhiroop Sahu, senior.
Math team connects many different people from many different backgrounds to create a community that supports one another. Math team is not about just getting questions right, but learning and growing together as a team to get better.
“I love how close everyone is. It’s genuinely a community and I love how connected it is. It gets you a lot closer, especially after solving problems,” said Jasmine Sudan, junior. “And after you’re just getting together, trying to figure out what answers you got right, what were wrong, and learning from each other. I think that’s the biggest part of the community, learning from each other and growing.”
The math team wouldn’t be the math team without its amazing coaches who are always there to support the students.
“Overall [the coaches] are really positive and kind, and willing to help me in any way so I can achieve my goals,” said Chinmay Sandu, freshman.
Being a part of math team is not just solving problems but creating memories that will last, no matter how early or late a person joins. From going to Portillos or getting pizza, there’s always fun to be had and memories to be made.
When asked her favorite memory, Sophomore Anushka Singh said, “My favorite memory is us winning the candy bar.”
The candy bar contest is where the whole team works together to solve a set of problems in a fixed amount of time. The school who wins the contest gets a bag of candy to share with the team.
However, winning for the math team is sweeter than any bag of candy.
