On Tuesday, March 29th, some students were selected to take a trip down to Carbondale for the annual Math Field Day. Every year, Southern Illinois University Carbondale hosts a math competition for competitors ranging from freshmen to seniors. Each school is allowed to bring a maximum of eight students from each grade level, and each student takes an individual test. The test is graded with a point-based system, and the school with the most points wins. 

This year, John Laughlin, the upper-level math teacher at OHS, chose 8 students from each grade to compete. The freshmen attending Math Field day were Hailey Kolweier, Claire Dulle, John Schaller, Thor Gavin, Makenna Gabrovic, Calvin Maynard, Caleigh Friedrich, and Laura Cook. The sophomores were Dylan Benson, Alayna Kraus, Raelyn Obermeier, Mallory Bening, Bennett Krohne, Ellie Wedemeyer, Madi Wienstroer, and Lydia Luechtefeld. The juniors consisted of Jared Juenger, Evan Perry, Ellie Frederking, Megan Rennegarbe, Kristen Althoff, Grant Schleifer, Hannah Miller, and Jordyn Heckert. The seniors attending were Zoe Todd, Jacob Segelhorst, Ace Bruck, Sydney Tebbe, Chloe Tepe, Alyssa Gavin, Gracie Nelson, and Erin Nilles. 

When the Rockets arrived at SIUC, they were seated in the Banterra Arena, where they were informed about, then given their tests. Having attended the competition, I can say that taking the test where the Salukis play basketball was a very awesome experience! 

As a school, Okawville earned third place in class 1A. Okawville’s freshman and senior grade levels both achieved first place as individual classes, while the junior class achieved third. Hailey Kolweier and Jacob Segelhorst both received honorable mentions for placing in the top 20 in their grades. The Rockets did a great job representing Okawville and are hoping to attend again next year!