From reports

Columbia City High School congratulates senior class member Trey Whitacre for winning the Rose-Hulman High School Mathematics Contest. 

Whitacre, who has competed at the contest three times, won the Senior Class Division on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. 

“I’ve placed eighth overall the past two years. My goal was to carry on the streak or win. I guess I knocked it out of the park,” said Whitacre, Columbia City High School senior.

The young mathematicians have one hour to take a 20 question test, which sounds challenging enough. 

“The time restraint is the most challenging. I know I can figure them out but sometimes I might need 10 minutes a question, they’re extensive math questions, and when you have 20 questions, that leaves only 3 minutes per question,” explained Whitacre. “I mostly relaxed this year. I didn’t stress, I had been there before and knew what the test looked like so I studied what I thought would be on the test but didn’t I just didn’t stress about it.

Whitacre is on the CCHS math team, where they competed against the other schools. The contest is open to regional high schools, and more than 200 students show up with teams from public and private schools of all sizes. The math team represented Columbia City High School well, and Whitacre’s score earned him the top honor as the highest-scoring senior. They recognize the top 12 individuals from each class (freshman-senior).

“I’ve always been good a math but when I entered high school, I have to thank Mr. Reece who taught me to inquire about math on my own time. I appreciate Mr. Reece who coaches the math team and gave me a reason to be at the contest in the first place,” Whitacre said.

The senior wants to become a Mathematician with his PhD in mathematics. While Whitacre hasn’t chosen his college yet, we know he’ll do great wherever he lands.

“To see Trey, you know he’s humble. He wouldn’t have bragged on this on his own but we are so proud of his work and his math abilities. CCHS is better with the academic success of Trey and it’s no doubt they’ll name a theory after him one day,” said Mr. Brady Mullett, Columbia City High School Principal.