Dale County Chronicle
Students from Daleville High School recently put their math skills to the test while gaining hands-on learning experience at the 29th Sonia Kovalevsky High School Mathematics Day, held April 15, 2026, at Valdosta State University in Valdosta.
Representing Daleville High at the event were Samantha Nichols, Helena Twigger, Aanijah Collins, Ja’Naisia McClain, and Audrie Smothers. They were accompanied by faculty members Lida Claunch and Yelena Meadows.
The annual event, often referred to as SK Day, is designed to encourage high school students to continue their studies in mathematics through a mix of interactive workshops, career exploration, and academic competition. This year’s program drew participants from 22 schools, with a total of 157 students in attendance.
Activities began with a welcome from Dr. Shaun Ault, interim department head for Valdosta State’s Department of Data Science. The featured career speaker, Kristen Varney, shared insights from her role as a community planner with the Civil Engineering Squadron at Moody Air Force Base, highlighting real-world applications of mathematics in her field.
Throughout the day, students rotated through three hands-on workshops. Sessions included “Fractals, Sierpiński, and Pascal,” led by event director Dr. Denise Reid, as well as “The Candy Bar Conundrum: A Sweet Take on Systems of Equations,” presented by educator Leigh Anne Ramsey. A third workshop, “Some Mathematics Questions to Ponder,” featured problem-solving stations led by Valdosta State senior Kassidy Hernandez.
In addition to the workshops, students participated in a math competition and enjoyed opportunities to interact with peers from across the region. Participants were provided breakfast and lunch on campus, and door prizes were awarded at both the beginning and end of the event.
The Sonia Kovalevsky Mathematics Day is supported by several sponsors, including Valdosta State University’s Provost Office, the Department of Data Science, the College of Science and Mathematics, as well as corporate partners such as Publix, Pearson Publishing, Texas Instruments, and Cengage Publishing.
School officials said participation in events like SK Day provides students with valuable exposure to STEM opportunities while reinforcing classroom learning through engaging, real-world experiences.
