UVa-Wise announces Sigma Zeta Math-Science Contest winners

Ten schools from across Southwest Virginia sent their best math and science students to compete in the 36th annual Sigma Zeta Math-Science Contest at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise.

The contest, which is divided into large and small school categories, consisted of 50 student competitors.

Abingdon High School’s team took first place in the large school division for math. Richlands High School came in second. Abingdon math team included: Bob Hollon, Matthew Rodriquez and Preston Pionk. Members of the Richlands math team were: Josh Tucker, Ally Stacy and Bethanie Sizemore.

Clintwood High School finished in first place in the small school division in math with Pound High School coming in second. Clintwood team members were: Adam Mullins, Cody Swindall and Ben Vanover. Rachel Belcher, Sarah Short and Amber Wells competed for Pound.

First place in the science category for the large school division went to Abingdon High School with second going to John Battle. Abingdon team members were: Brittany Qualkinbush, Will Garrison and Matthew Rodriquez. John Battle team members were: Albert Smith, Heather Lewenzuk and Sean Large.

Clintwood High School took home first place honors in the small school science division. Second place honors went to St. Paul High School. Clintwood team members were: Adam Mullins, Cody Swindall and Ben Vanover.  Competing for St. Paul were: Haley Kiser, Derrick Torres and A. J. Delauder.

Although students competed in teams of three, they were also eligible for recognition for outstanding individual performance. In the individual math competition, Philip Marshall of Appalachia and Josh Tucker of Richlands tied for first place. Second place went to three individuals: Brandon Holmes, Bob Hollon and Matt Rodriquez, all of Abingdon. Honorable mention was given to Ryan Blanchard and Brittany Qualkinbush, both of Abingdon; Adam Mullins and Cody Swindall, Clintwood; Ashley Strong, Coeburn; Moha Nagaraja, Richlands; and Derrick Torres, St. Paul.

In the individual science competition, Cameron Curtis of J.J. Kelly took first place. Matt Rodriquez and Will Garrison, both of Abingdon, tied for second place honors. Honorable mention was given to Ben Vanover and Adam Mullins, Clintwood; Josh Tucker, Richlands; Phillip Marshall, Appalachia; Brandon Holmes and Bob Hollon and Bryan Blanchard, Abingdon; A.J. Delauder, St. Paul; Albert Smith, John Battle; and David Crabtree, Lee High.

Seniors taking part in the Sigma Zeta contest were also eligible to compete for a Joseph C. Smiddy Scholarship in math and science. Named in honor of UVa-Wise's first biology instructor and first chancellor, the renewable scholarships provide either $500 or $1,000 per year toward tuition and expenses at UVa-Wise.

Joshua Tucker of Richlands was the winner of the $1,000 Joseph C. Smiddy scholarship in math. Benjamin Vanover of Clintwood was awarded the $1,000 Joseph C. Smiddy scholarship in Science.

Phillip Marshall of Appalachia won $500 scholarships in math and science. Bob Hollon of Abingdon also won a $500 scholarship in math. Adam Mullins of Clintwood was also awarded a $500 scholarship in science.

The only branch of the University of Virginia, UVa-Wise is ranked among the nation's top public liberal arts colleges by U.S. News and World Report. UVa-Wise is home to 1,900 students and offers undergraduate and professional programs in the liberal arts tradition of Thomas Jefferson.