7th SOPS makes the grade in Denver MATHCOUNTS

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Scott P. Farley
  • 310th Space Wing Public Affairs
DENVER --  Air Force Reservists from the 7th Space Operations Squadron dusted off their middle-school math skills to grade exams for the Colorado MATHCOUNTS state competition at the Driscoll Center Ballroom at the University of Denver on March 12.
Seven 7 SOPS members joined with other volunteer graders to judge the work of 173 students from 71 schools around Colorado, who advanced from Colorado regional MATHCOUNTS competitions. The winning individual and team participants advanced to the national competition in Washington, D.C., and also receive a partial scholarship to the University of Denver.
This was the second time volunteering for Tech. Sgt. Chanda Zazi, a 7 SOPS mission planner for TACSAT-3 satellites, who also graded exams in the February regional contest in Denver.
Sergeant Zazi said volunteering for MATHCOUNTS is an interesting way to volunteer and encourage kids to excel in mathematics.
"I did (MATHCOUNTS) in 6th grade when I was a little kid," said Sergeant Zazi. "It is important that we are doing this, because we are showing that math and science are important."
Sergeant Zazi said volunteer activities such as MATHCOUNTS are also great ways to build relationships with workmates, while making a difference in the community.
MATHCOUNTS is a national math enrichment, coaching and competition program that promotes middle school mathematics achievement in every U.S. state and territory. MATHCOUNTS topics include algebra, probability, approximation, geometry, and statistics. Problems fit in 6th, 7th and 8th grade curriculums across the country, and are designed to accelerate students' interest and achievement in mathematics.
MATHCOUNTS' mission for 25 years has been to increase interest and involvement in mathematics among middle school students to assist in developing a technically literate population essential.
According to Bryan Kohlenburg, a civil engineer with the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District, volunteers are the backbone of MATHCOUNTS that relies on the generosity of people in holding the national competition each year.
Kohlenburg, who has been involved with MATHCOUNTS since 1983, said the program relies on volunteers in their mission of spreading the joy of math.
"We wouldn't be able to have (MATHCOUNTS competitions) without volunteers," said Kohlenburg. "With competitions for different chapters and state, we are always looking."
Kohlenburg said MATHCOUNTS volunteers allow kids with an interest in mathematics to flourish in the sport.
"These kids are just as much athletes and as talented as any physical athlete," said Kohlenburg. "The tremendous support we get from the military really allows these kids to have a passion for mathematics."
"It is nice because we are giving back and being a part of the community," said Sergeant Zazi. "I really enjoy the 7 SOPS comradery. After we volunteer we will eat lunch together. It is great to see everyone in a non-military setting making a difference in the community."

When the grading was finished at the end of the day, the winners were chosen based on the grading of the volunteers, who were quite precise in their work on that day, a fact that wasn't lost on the volunteers from 7 SOPS.
"They call me Iceman, because I grade ice cold, no mistakes," said Tech. Sgt. Giovanni Carotti, a 7 SOPS volunteer.
The top finishers in the state competition were, Jesse Zhang Southern Hills Middle School, Casey Zhang Southern Hills Middle School, Angela Song Mountain Ridge Middle School, and Christine Soh Summit Middle Charter School. Summit Middle Charter School and Southern Hills Middle School were the top two teams of the 2011 competition.