Senior Ethan Oppedal and freshman Emily He earned Blue Earth Area’s top scores in the 2023 American Mathematics Competition held Wednesday, November 8 in the Performing Arts Center at BEAHS. Ethan was the winner in the AMC → 12 (for juniors and seniors) with a score of 63, while Emily nabbed first place in the AMC → 10 (9th and and 10th graders) with a total of 52.5. This was the third year the test was administered in November; previously it was given in February.
In the AMC -> 12, senior Seth Mathews placed 2nd with a score of 51, while classmates Max Loge and Brady Lorenz tied for 3rd with 46.5 points.
Tying for second in the AMC -> 10 were frosh fellas Cole Becker and John Nelson, who each tallied 48 points.
The American Mathematics Competition is a very challenging 25-question multiple-choice test given annually to students in the United States. It is the first step in selecting the US Math Team that competes internationally. A correct answer earns six points, a question left blank earns one-and-a-half points, and a wrong answer gets zero points. Thus, students must wisely choose how many questions to answer, as random guessing dramatically reduces one’s score. No calculators are permitted on the tests!
Past AHSME (the former name of the test) and AMC -> 12 local winners include Seth Mathews (2022), Calvin Farrow (fall 2021 and 2021), Bobby Karp (2020 and 2019), Clayton Johnson and Tate Thielfoldt (2018), Bryan Karp (2017), Adam Buseman (2016), Chris Leland (2015), Bess Clement (2014), Cody Tischer (2013), Carter Hanson (2012), Aaron and Wade Wilhelmi (2011), Aaron Wilhelmi (2010), Nick Lee (2009), Tim Yates (2008), Jonathan Leitzke (2007), Nathan Clement (2006 and 2005), Lindsay Mensing (2003 and 2004), Adam Bell (2002), Caleb Christensen (2001 and 2000), Christensen and Andy Odden (1999), Odden (1998), Michelle Oswald (1997), Cody Feder and Summer Smith (1996), Matt Holland (1995), Chris Mensing (1994), Alex Watts (1992 and 1993), Juan Palm (1991), Chris Shreiber (1990), Tim Murray (1989), Paul Schroeder (1988), Roger Anderson (1987), Dave Katzke (1986), Asil Oztekin (1985), Chuck Johnson (1984), Clare Gray (1983), Clay Schotzko (1982), John Virnig (1981), Noma Mashiko (1980), Stephanie Phelon (1979), Chuck Bangert (1978), Ursa Milla (1977), Bob Gerberding (1976), Greg Renkly (1975), Kent Queensland (1974), Mary Kay Hibbs (1973), Forrest Woodwick (1972), Padric Piper (1971), Jim Carr (1969-70), Steve Murray (1968), Bob Bonk (1967), Jim Wiggins (1966), Dave Mittelstad (1965), Dean Nelson (1964), Elso Jensen (1963), Mike Nesheim (1962), Vernon Erickson (1959-60-61), and James Johnson (1958).
The previous AMC -> 10 winners include Grace Schavey (2022), Seth Mathews and Gage Barker (fall 2021), Lilah Farrow (2021), Calvin Farrow (2020 and 2019), Ethan Johnson (2018 and 2017), Franklin Huang (2016), Jacob Willette (2015), Zach Shure (2014), Adam Buseman (2013), Bess Clement (2011 and 2012), Kristine Volz (2010), Ethan Armstrong (2009), Aaron Wilhelmi (2008), Emily Clement (2008 and 2007), Jonathan Leitzke (2006 and 2005), Nathan Clement (2003 and 2004), Kelly Rozenboom (2002), and Kate Ellingsen (2001 and 2000).