The Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA) program recently presented its third annual Math Challenge competition. With nearly 200 students competing from 21 community colleges, it was Allan Hancock College’s own German Morales who took the top spot.
According to a recent press release, seven Hancock students participated in the competition, held at the MESA Center on the Santa Maria campus on March 21.
Each of the contestants was issued a 60-minute test that resembled the American Mathematical Association’s Student Math League test.
“The Math Challenge allows students to gain recognition for their problem-solving skills and helps alleviate the stress that often comes with test preparation,” said Tiffany Reardon, who helps oversee the MESA Community College Program.
Morales said he was surprised when he was awarded the top score because his mind was distracted by a test he would be taking in another class that afternoon.
Morales was recently accepted as a mechanical engineering major at both Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo and at UC Davis.
“Everything I’ve experienced in MESA has been great so far. They’ve really put me on track to go to a four-year university,” he said.
Hancock currently has 125 students involved in the MESA program, which provides underprivileged students the skills needed to transition to a four-year university and promotes earning degrees in math-based disciplines.
