GHS Math Competition Team takes first in five categories

GARLAND,TX. (August 6, 2015) Taking a break from summer, several Garland ISD students brushed up on their skills at the Texas Tech University Summer Math & Science Camp July 14-18. Garland High School’s Math Competition Team experienced college life, attended classes and ended the week long event claiming titles against approximately 180 competitors from 40 schools across the state.

“We have dominated this contest for three years in a row,” said team coach John Hobbs. “It was our first year to win every category, though. I am real proud of these students. And, I am grateful to Principal [Atticus] Wisener for making it possible for us to attend.”

The Texas Tech camp marks the talented group’s first competition of the new school year. Students will participate in 12-14 more, hoping to advance to state-level contests. Last year’s team finished fifth at state UIL and seventh at the Texas Math and Science Coaches Association competition.

“No Garland team has ever placed better,” commented Hobbs. “And we do not have class time to practice like other programs. Our students meet entirely after school, which makes their accomplishments even more impressive. They are super busy—many are International Baccalaureate students—so their dedication deserves recognition.”

Hobbsis a 40-year teacher with a passion for coaching math teams. Assistant coaches include Liz Johnson and Jordan Marlar. A list of student accomplishments is below.

  • Team: calculator – first, mathematics – first, number sense – first, science – first, sweepstakes – first
  • Andrew Doan (11th grade): calculator – eighth, math – second, number sense – third, science – 10th
  • Rebecca Lamb (10th grade): science – 10th
  • Luz Martines (11th grade): calculator – ninth
  • Linh Nguyen (10th grade): calculator – first, math – first, number sense – second, science – first
  • Zachary Nguyen (eighth grade): math – third, number sense – second, science – fifth
  • Khoa Pham (ninth grade): calculator – second, math – second, number sense – third, science – fourth
  • Joshua Robert (seventh grade): calculator – sixth, math – fourth, number sense – fifth, science – seventh
  • Joshua Roy (seventh grade): calculator – fifth, math – fifth, number sense – fourth, science – sixth
  • Alyssa Shrode (12th grade): calculator – second, math – third, number sense – first, science – second
  • Alina Tieu (10th grade): calculator – 10th
  • Tien Tran (10th grade): math – first, number sense – fifth, science – seventh

Photo courtesy of Garland High School.

Submitted by Caren Rodriguez, Garland Independent School District Staff Writer.

To share your good news and events, email .

Please click here to LIKE our Facebook page, so we can reach more people with good news like this!