UVa-Wise announces Sigma Zeta winners

Some of the region's best and brightest students competed at The University of Virginia's College at Wise in November in the 35 th annual Sigma Zeta Math-Science Contest.

More than 90 students from 16 high schools in Southwest Virginia took part in the contest, which was divided into large and small school categories.

In the large school division, Abingdon High School took first place in both the math and science competitions.   Members of the Abingdon team competing in the math competition were: Clay Miller, Neal Smith and Michael Abel.   The science team included Clay Miller, Neal Smith and Spencer Leong.

Richlands High School took second place in the mathematics competition.   Members of the Richlands team were: Josh Tucker, Tara Nagaraja and Haley Ferrell.   Second place in the science competition went to Tazewell High School.   Making up of the Tazewell team were: Kayla Lail, Andrew Christian and Cody Yarborough.

J.I. Burton High School won the mathematics competition for small schools with Appalachia High School placing second.   Members of the J.I. Burton team were: Laura Witt, Cody McElroy and Andrew Fultz.   Members of the Appalachia team were: Ryan Hooper, Ju Young Goo and Phillip Marshall.

Clintwood High School took first place in science for small schools with St. Paul High School placing second.   Members of the Clintwood team included Cody Swindall, Adam Mullins and Ben Vanover.   Members of the St. Paul team were: A.J. Delauder, Christ Sutherland and Josh Turner.

Although students competed in teams of three, they were also eligible for recognition for outstanding individual performance.   In the individual math competition, Neal Smith of Abingdon High School took first place, Smith also took first place in the individual science competition.   Clay Miller and Michael Abel, both of Abingdon High School, tied for second place.   Adam Mullins of Clintwood High School took second place in the individual science competition.

Students receiving honorable mention for their individual math performance were: Spencer Leong, Abingdon High School; Bob Hollon, Abingdon High School; Joshua Tucker, Richlands High School; Laura Witt, J.I. Burton High School; Andrew Fulz, J.I. Burton High School; Cody McElroy, J.I. Burton High School; Kayla Lail, Tazewell High School; and Andrew Christian, Tazewell High School.  

Other students recognized for their individual performances in the science competition included: Michael Abel, Abingdon High School; Eric Tatum, Tazewell High School; Phillip Marshall, Appalachia High School; Darrin Lowe, Richlands High School; Clay Miller, Abingdon High School; Spencer Leong, Abingdon High School; Andrew Christian, Tazewell High School; Ben Vanover, Clintwood High School; Joshua Tucker, High School; Cody Yarborough, Tazewell High School; Will Garrison, Abingdon High School; Chris Sutherland, St. Paul High School; Tara Nagaraja, Richlands High School; Bob Hollon, Abingdon High School; Audra Delauder, St. Paul High School; and David Crabtree, Lee High School.

Seniors taking part in the Sigma Zeta contest were also eligible to compete for a Joseph C. Smiddy Scholarship in math and science.   Named in honor of UVa-Wise's first biology instructor and first chancellor, the renewable scholarships provide either $500 or $1,000 per year toward tuition and expenses at UVa-Wise.

Andrew Fultz of J.I. Burton is the winner of the $1,000 Joseph C. Smiddy Scholarship in math.   Darrin Lowe of Richlands High School   was awarded the $1,000 Joseph Smiddy Scholarship in science.   Chris Sutherland of St Paul High School and Madison Minor of Lee High School won the $500 Joseph C. Smiddy Scholarships in science.

The only branch of the University of Virginia, UVa-Wise is ranked among the nation's top public liberal arts colleges by U.S. News and World Report. UVa-Wise is home to 1,800 students and offers undergraduate and professional programs in the liberal arts tradition of Thomas Jefferson.