Be there or be squared

Math teachers Mr. Darren Dusick and Ms. Maggie Gola started the Milton Area High School Math Club this school year.

The club meets every Day 4 in Ms. Gola’s room during Pride Time. According to Mr. Dusick students must have a good academic standing in math in order to join the club. He added that interested students should see him or Ms. Gola to join. “We are welcome to new members. Don’t be afraid to come,” Ms. Gola added.

Ms. Gola said there are currently ten students in the club. She added they are unlikely to elect club officers due to the club being an “open environment.”

Mr. Dusick said he expected the amount of interest there currently is in the club. “Most students are afraid of math, and in a way, I think algebra sometimes ruins math for students because there’s so much more out there, outside of the realm of algebra,” he added. He said in meetings, they play games and solve puzzles to have fun in math.

Mr. Dusick said the club plans to attend three or more math competitions each year. He added the club would like to go to Bloomsburg University, Bucknell University and Kings College’s competitions. According to Ms. Gola, all the competitions are different, but they usually run about the length of the school day with a lunch break. At the competitions, there are some group activities and some individual activities, she added.

According to Mr. Dusick, the math club has also started fundraising. They are currently selling clear water bottles, and any student interested in purchasing one should see a member, he said. The water bottles are 34 ounces, clear and come with a free Milton sticker. Ms. Gola said the bottles are dishwasher safe and able to hold cold and hot liquids.

The club is planning to participate in the Chili Cook-Off held by Team Cambodia and may participate in other school activities, Ms. Gola said.

Mr. Dusick said that while he was not in his high school’s math club, he did go to math competitions in school and enjoyed himself.