Wenatchee High School students have been participating in math is cool proctoring to support elementary and middle school students do what they love, math. These math is cool events serve around 1000 fourth grade to eighth grade students. Students come from as far away as Omak, Quincy, Leavenworth, Chelan and other wenatchee school district public and private schools.

“The truth is we could not put on these regional competitions without the help of our high school proctors. We need around 70 to 80 proctors every competition to make this a successful event for our Math is Cool teams,” said Pugmire.

During these competitions, the high school proctors give a series of tests: a mental math test, individual test, a few team tests and a college bowl event. During these series of events it is the proctor’s task to explain the rules for each individual test and make sure every rule is followed without issues, such as cheating. Proctors are also responsible for labelling teams names and numbers. This, however, is not a simple volunteering process. With dedication and hard work, proctoring takes around five hours, until completed.

One particular club at WHS has been helping with proctoring many times, Math Honors Society (MHS).

“I would say our goal is to make the competition the best it can be for the students and for them to have a good experience,” said Math Honors Society member, Neal Nyak.

Ben Newman, another member of MHS who has also volunteered to proctor over the years, has some similar words about how they hope to impact the elementary and middle schoolers.

“I hope it makes them enjoy math more, and continue to do it,” said Newman.

Both Nyak and Newman have done Math is Cool before entering high school and understand their job as proctors is to give the participants a good time, as they had fun proctors in the past and want to continue to pay that forward.

Proctoring takes a great deal of communication skills and time management, which the students of MHS have been doing.

The Next Math is Cool competition is Feb. 20, where WHS students will continue to volunteer and give their time to the younger generation of students.