Local students attend SK Day at Valdosta State
The 28th Sonia Kovalevsky High School Mathematics Day (SK Day) was held at Valdosta State University on Thursday, April 17, 2025. SK Day consists of a program of hands-on workshops, career speakers, and a contest. The purpose of the day is to encourage students to continue their study of mathematics. The director of the event was Dr. Denise Reid, a professor in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Physics. There were 18 schools in attendance at this year’s SK Day. There was a total of 136 participants.
This year’s program began with a welcome by Dr. Sheri Noviello, VSU Interim Provost & V.P. of Academic Affairs. The career speaker for the day was Reagan Cook. Cook works as a data analyst and is an AI in manufacturing Fellow through Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute. There was also a math competition during the event. The participants were treated to a light breakfast in the morning and taken to VSU’s Palm dining hall for lunch. Door prizes were drawn at the beginning and end of the day.
Three workshops were held during the day. Patti Roberton, a Lecturer in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Physics, led a workshop entitled “Can Joy Smell Parkinson’s.” In this workshop the students participated in a real-world application of statistics and probability. Reid, a professor of Mathematics in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Physics, led a workshop entitled “Six Problems to Ponder.” In this workshop the students worked as teams and used manipulatives to solve non-routine challenge problems. The final workshop of the day was led by Sarah Glass and Lauren Taunton, two VSU seniors majoring in Applied Mathematics with Secondary Education Certification. Their workshop was entitled “The Platonic Solids” and in this workshop the students explored these shapes and built models of each to take back to their schools.
Back
This year’s program began with a welcome by Dr. Sheri Noviello, VSU Interim Provost & V.P. of Academic Affairs. The career speaker for the day was Reagan Cook. Cook works as a data analyst and is an AI in manufacturing Fellow through Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute. There was also a math competition during the event. The participants were treated to a light breakfast in the morning and taken to VSU’s Palm dining hall for lunch. Door prizes were drawn at the beginning and end of the day.
Three workshops were held during the day. Patti Roberton, a Lecturer in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Physics, led a workshop entitled “Can Joy Smell Parkinson’s.” In this workshop the students participated in a real-world application of statistics and probability. Reid, a professor of Mathematics in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Physics, led a workshop entitled “Six Problems to Ponder.” In this workshop the students worked as teams and used manipulatives to solve non-routine challenge problems. The final workshop of the day was led by Sarah Glass and Lauren Taunton, two VSU seniors majoring in Applied Mathematics with Secondary Education Certification. Their workshop was entitled “The Platonic Solids” and in this workshop the students explored these shapes and built models of each to take back to their schools.
Sponsors for the day included VSU College of Science and Mathematics, VSU Department of Applied Mathematics and Physics, VSU Provost Office, VSU Admissions Office, VSU Auxiliary Services, Publix, Texas Instruments, Hawkes Learning, Wild Adventures, Wiley Publishing, and Cengage.
Attending from Brookwood School were Wimberly Jones, Maggie Brock, Sims Wetherbee, Avery Bentley, Addison Gamble, and Pierce Garland. Accompanying the students were Lindsey Cone and LeighAnne Ramsey.
Attending from Thomasville High School were Sellers Newman, Emma Gebel, Trinity Do, Reese Bilbo, Amy Holt, and McCartney Bell. Accompanying the students were Elaina Johnson and Darrin Minns.
Attending from Brookwood School were Wimberly Jones, Maggie Brock, Sims Wetherbee, Avery Bentley, Addison Gamble, and Pierce Garland. Accompanying the students were Lindsey Cone and LeighAnne Ramsey.
Attending from Thomasville High School were Sellers Newman, Emma Gebel, Trinity Do, Reese Bilbo, Amy Holt, and McCartney Bell. Accompanying the students were Elaina Johnson and Darrin Minns.
Attending from Thomas County Central were Serin Choi, Sha’leria Walker, Elizabeth Ralston, Amy Ariail, Purva Patel, Gracie Kempel, Afton Sowards, Gracie Floyd, Isabella Gasper, Dori Harrison, Maureen Brutus, and Lauren Davis. Accompanying the students were Billy Esra and Kelsey Hanna. Choi placed first in the contest at the event.
Brookwood School
Located in Thomasville, GA, Brookwood School is a private school for grades JK-12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.