VCSU Hosts 500+ Students for Annual Math Competition
VALLEY CITY, N.D. (VCSU) – The Valley City State University Department of Mathematics hosted its third annual Math Competition on April 8, welcoming 539 students from 49 schools across North Dakota and the region. Students in grades 7-12 competed in individual and team-based problem-solving challenges designed to promote creative thinking, collaboration, and a genuine enjoyment of mathematics.
This year’s competition had 199 students compete in the grades 10-12 division and 340 students in the grades 7-9 division. The event featured 85 more participants than last year.
“This was an incredibly successful and fun day,” said Dr. Jamie Wirth, Chair of the VCSU Department of Mathematics. “It’s exciting to see so many students who genuinely enjoy mathematics and are willing to challenge themselves. Our hope is that events like this help students see math not just as a subject, but as a pathway to impactful careers—and we would love for many of them to consider VCSU for that journey.”
Students were recognized for excellence in both team and individual performances. The Top 3 teams and Top 10 individuals in each division received awards.
Grades 7–9 Team Awards
- 1st Place: Carrington Cosines
(Laken, Brook, Nick, Howie) - 2nd Place: Capstone Classical Academy
(Lincoln, Asher, Corbin, Jackson) - 3rd Place: Liberty Middle School #2
(Adam, Zuniel, Neesen, Siddharth)
Grades 7–9 Individual Awards
- 1st Place: Henry Chu — Liberty Middle School
- 2nd Place: Luke Hauge — Flasher
- 3rd Place: Levi Hovey — Bismarck
- 4th Place: Carter Reerdon — Bismarck
- 5th Place: Luke Birt — Heritage Middle School
- 6th Place: Vernonica Mattson — Mandan
- 7th Place: Nick Pierson — Carrington
- 8th Place: Brady Hauge — Flasher
- 9th Place: Hailey Mart — Heritage Middle School
- 10th Place: Killian Wagner — Heritage Middle School
Grades 10–12 Team Awards
- 1st Place: Dickinson Determinants
(Leyton, Gabriel, Daniel, Ethan) - 2nd Place: Horizon Middle School #67
(Luke, Daria, Eisen, Tara) - 3rd Place: Mandan High School #6
(Alexis, Annita, Cayden, Tyler)
Grades 10–12 Individual Awards
- 1st Place: Dana Raducu — Horizon Middle School
- 2nd Place: Tara Prawira — Horizon Middle School
- 3rd Place: Luke Raducu — Horizon Middle School
- 4th Place: Ethan McMacken — Dickinson High School
- 5th Place: Caleb Dahl — Shanley High School
- 6th Place: Bennett Graff — Mandan High School
- 7th Place: Cole Stimpson — Shanley High School
- T–8th Place: Katelyn Aamodt — Larimore High School
- T–8th Place: Gabriel Ricks — Dickinson High School
- 10th Place: Zachary Schanandone — Mandan High School
Why VCSU for Mathematics?
The event also highlighted pathways in mathematics that students can pursue at VCSU. For students interested in math education, VCSU has a reputation for producing quality teachers and annually awards the most undergraduate teaching degrees in North Dakota. More than 1,500 alumni currently serve as teachers or administrators in over 340 North Dakota schools. VCSU was recently ranked the #1 School for Education in North Dakota by Niche.com.
Students more interested in applied mathematics can pursue degrees that align with careers in engineering, actuarial science, statistics, data analysis, and related fields, including VCSU’s pre‑engineering and applied mathematics options.
VCSU offers an affordable option for higher education, including a substantial savings in tuition and housing compared to most larger institutions.
Looking Ahead
Next year’s VCSU Math Competition is scheduled for Wednesday, April 7, 2027. The VCSU Department of Mathematics looks forward to welcoming returning schools and new participants to campus once again for a day of challenging problems, collaboration, and fun-centered mathematics.