NMI bids goodbye to Mathcounts competition

After 15 successful years of holding the Mathcounts competition on the island, the event’s organizer and founder has decided to stop the event until a “good opportunity” comes to EFC Engineers & Architects in the future.

This was announced by Efrain Camacho, president and owner of the company, during Saturday’s state contest at the Multi-Purpose Center.

“It’s going to be the last year for Mathcounts as sponsored and organized by EFC Engineers & Architects,” he told Saipan Tribune.

Camacho said the decision was reached after consulting with his family members, whom he admitted were saddened by the move.

“It was very emotional…and they asked why. However, they understand, accepted and supported my decision,” he said.

It costs the company about $10,000 every year to hold and send the delegates to the states.

Camacho also admitted that the current state of the economy contributed to his decision.

When asked about the possibility of reviving the competition, Camacho vowed to do so. “It’s my desire and intention…in the future.”

Camacho, who is also the executive director of the Commonwealth Ports Authority, has put on hold or on “inactive status” EFC Engineers & Architects upon assuming the government post. Since then, the firm has not accepted any projects and has released all of its eight personnel, he said.

“I always have the desire to help the community and, even if it’s a huge sacrifice for me, I decided to help the government on a larger scale and that’s through accepting the CPA post,” he told Saipan Tribune.

He promised to put his company on “active” status once he leaves his government post.

Camacho encouraged students to continue studying and loving math and science.

“I encourage students to continue study math and science…because the rewards are huge,” he said.

Camacho and his wife, Martha, recalled how they started the Mathcounts competition in 1994, patterned after the nationally recognized contest which gives students the opportunity to travel and compete with other mathletes from all over the United States.

Since its inception, a total of 64 local students have been sent to various national Mathcounts events. Majority were first-timers in the U.S. mainland.

In the 15-year history of the local competition, only two schools have ruled the state Mathcounts rounds.

Marianas Baptist Academy held the prestigious title since its start in 1994 through 2006.

Calvary Christian Academy stole the title in 2007 but MBA mathletes managed to take it back in 2008.

CCA successfully returned on Saturday to regain the honor of holding the perpetual trophy until the revival of the competition in the future.

Camacho, during Saturday’s event, recognized all the hardworking volunteers for the competition, majority of whom are former staff of EFC Engineers & Architects.

“Without them, Mathcounts will never be here,” he added.

MBA principal Ramir Trinidad, a long-time CNMI coach to the national competition, said the decision to stop Mathcounts means the loss of a great opportunity for local students.

“It was a sad news,” he told Saipan Tribune.

Trinidad said the decision has “discouraged” a lot of parents. “They were discouraged because this is one way to enhance the ability to apply math and critical thinking.”

Trinidad’s school was the longest serving champion of the competition for 13 years. He was also named coach to the national event for 14 years.

The MBA principal urged schools and parents to step up and find ways to keep the competition going.

“Although some parents actually want to help, I must admit that it’s not too easy to organize. We need a lot of support from the community and the schools to make it happen,” he said, conceding that the “bad state” of economy may hinder the community and private sector from giving financial assistance.

The principal disclosed that many of MBA’s former mathletes are now professional engineers.

“This is more than a competition. This event helps a lot in developing our mathletes for the future. I can say that it provided us amazing experiences and makes our students more competitive,” he added.

This year’s winning coach, Vanessa Pritchard of Calvary Christian Academy, hopes that somebody will step in to sponsor the event.

“We’re very sad…but we understand and respect the decision,” she said.

Ji Hoon Choi of CCA said: “I feel bad…and sorry for the next 6-7th graders who may not be able to get the same rewarding experiences we had from Mathcounts.”

He admitted that it’s everyone’s desire to be in the Mathcounts every year.

For Saipan International School’s Hyeon Jon Jun, “a great opportunity” for junior high school students will be lost.