In the seven years since it began, M&M Jamaica Limited’s annual mathematics competition has attracted greater participation from students in St Elizabeth, where the competition is held.

Back in 2003, six high schools participated in the competition. Since then, all 10 secondary schools in St Elizabeth enter their students for the competition. It is a fact of which Dr Randolph Watson, co-ordinator of the competition, is proud. According to him, attracting an increasing number of children to mathematics is among the objectives of the competition.

Watson feels that too often children have had a bad impression of the subject and explains that “it varies according to those developmental variables that are engaged in the total development of the child”.

“The interplay of physical, social, intellectual, and emotional development all have a part to play in the process of development,” he said. “It would be heart-warming to see more initiatives from the private sector across the country and I commend M&M Jamaica Limited for their contributions to developing the minds of the youths of Jamaica”.

Career & Education features more of these “math brains” this week.

Name: Amelia Dunkley

Age: 13 years

Grade: Seven

School: Hampton High

Ambition: Doctor or accountant

Hobby: Reading

Placement in 2010 M&M Math Competition: First with 77 per cent

Why do you like math? I like mathematics because it gives my brain a challenge.

Name: Keira-Lee Smith

Age: 15 years

Grade: Nine

School: Black River High

Ambition: Pilot

Hobbies: Socialising with friends and family, and reading

Placement in 2010 M&M Math Competition: Second with 81 per cent

Name: Handel Bennett

Age: 16 years

Grade: 10

School: Munro College

Ambition: Chemical engineer

Hobbies: Listening to music, playing football and cricket, watching TV

Placement in 2010 M&M Math Competition: First place with 100 per cent

Why do you like math? It requires reasoning and not just reading like (some) other subjects.

Name: Ashli Thomas

Age: 15 years

Grade: 10

School: Hampton School

Ambition: Biochemist/doctor

Hobbies: Singing, dancing, playing football and reading

Placement in 2010 M&M math competition: Second with 92 per cent

Why do you like math? I like numbers. If I fail all other subjects, I know I’ll pass mathematics.

Name: Heather Clarke

Age: 16 years

Grade: 11

School: Hampton School

Ambition: Doctor or diagnostician

Hobbies: Reading, trying new things, socialising and playing netball

Placement in 2010 M&M math competition: First place with 98 per cent

Why do you like math? It is a practical and numerical subject which can be applied in every day activities. It also allows me to think in order to solve problems logically.

Name: Jevon Samuels

Age: 16 years

Grade: 11

School: Black River High

Hobbies: Listening to music, playing sports and socialising with friends

Placement in 2010 M&M math competition: Second with 94 per cent

Why do you like math? I like mathematics because everyday I get a new challenge to overcome.

Name: Giovanni Hutchinson

Age: 14 years

Grade: Eight

School: Munro College

Ambition: Lawyer

Hobbies: Watching TV and surfing the Internet

Placement in 2010 M&M math competition: Second with 80 per cent

Why do you like math? I like mathematics because it is a way to express myself and I love a challenge.

Name: Romario Francis

Age: 15 years

Grade: Nine

School: Munro College

Ambition: Automotive engineer

Hobbies: Watching TV, surfing the Internet, socialising and playing any form of sports

Placement in 2010 M&M Math Competition: Second with 81 per cent

Why do you like math? As a boy that craves challenges, mathematics would fit that category almost perfectly.

Name: Leighton Boothe

Age: 16 years

Grade: 11

School: Munro College

Ambition: Doctor

Hobbies: Watching TV, playing football and basketball, and listening to music

Placement in 2010 M&M Math Competition: Third place with 93 per cent

Why do you like math? Because it challenges me.

Name: Anesha Parchment

Age: 16 years

Grade: 10

School: Black River High

Ambition: Auditor

Hobbies: Drawing, listening to music, socialising with friends and doing puzzles

Placement in 2010 M&M Math Competition: Third with 70 per cent

Why do you like math? Over the years I have discovered that I had a relationship with math. Inspite of the fact that many dislike mathematics, it is my best subject. Math has always been there for me. Through the rough times I had with school, I knew math was my dear friend that would take the weight off my average and lift it up. I like math because it always has my back. It is both my skill and my talent since I can’t do sports well. Math is my defence, my attack and my goal.

Name: Pavel Williams

Age: 14 years

Grade: Seven

School: Munro College

Ambition: Businessman

Hobbies: Playing basketball and tennis

Placement in 2010 M&M Math Competition: Second with 71 per cent