Since the time I started school, I’ve enjoyed math because not only it improved my critical thinking ,it also seems like a puzzle or game. I like math for the process of exploration, and I love the moment of finding a solution and solving the math problem. For me, math is joy and happiness; however, what makes it more fun is working together as a team. Math club brings math fans together to exchange ideas and participate in a team-based mind exercise. Smaller schools usually have 1 math club, and students interested easily will sign up. Unfortunately, in larger schools, there are capacity issues -- Schools use math tryouts to solve low resource problems. Tryouts are not always perfect methods to evaluate math knowledge and interests. Small groups of students selected by tryouts will become members of the math club. Then, the club participants compete in middle school level tournaments like Math Count.

This year in Stratford Prep, many sixth graders could not qualify to the math club due to different reasons. I had some issues with the Chromebook, and midway through the exam, all my answers disappeared into thin air. While tension levels were rising, I could not piece together answers within 5 minutes of added time, and I did not make it. Recently, I interviewed some disappointed sixth graders. They said they could not make the math club tryouts because they were on vacation and missed the tryout. Majority of them came back from vacation within 1 week before tryouts and could not practice. Later, I interviewed kids from math club. They mentioned the major efforts of the club is focused on practice tests, and they hope the school increases the resources and lets all interested students be part of the club.

We 6th grade students who love math and did not make it to math club for various reasons, would appreciate it if school expands the resources and gives us a second chance. Ass Maryam Mirzakhani, the first and only woman who received Fields Medal, stated, “Math reveals its beauty only to patient followers" -- We will accept this challenge, study more, and wait patiently for a second chance.

Editor's Note: That being said, the Preparatory Press congratulates the sixth graders that got in and wishes them good luck on their future competitions!