2009 Mathcounts may be last for NMI

The main organizer of the annual Mathcounts competition on Saturday disclosed that this may be the last year of the event in the Commonwealth.

Efrain Camacho, president and owner of EFC Engineers & Architects, said the decision is caused in large part by the grim economy, which has hit private businesses hard. The competition is mainly sponsored by the private sector.

Camacho will announce the decision next month in the state rounds, where the final four will be selected as the CNMI’s official representatives to the national contest.

“This is our 15th year…and maybe the last,” he told Saipan Tribune.

Mainly sponsored by his company, Camacho said the event costs EFC about $10,000 annually.

“Just to run it every year, it costs about $10,000, from the preliminaries up to sending the winners to the national event…and we’ve been doing it for 15 years. We’re just fortunate that we still have sponsors who helped us this year,” he said.

Camacho, who is also executive director of the Commonwealth Ports Authority, said his company may not be able to continue holding the event after he put his company on hold due to his job at CPA.

EFC is one of the CPA’s contractors. Camacho earlier decided to “freeze” the company so as not to pose a conflict with his job at the agency.

“This event is mainly sponsored by private businesses and, with the present economy, it’s very difficult for the private sector to continue on,” he admitted.

“We will announce our decision in the state competition,” he added.

Camacho vowed to fulfill his “last” obligation to the event by sending the top four winners to Florida in May.

“We will surely send them to the national,” he said, adding that he feels sad losing this “great opportunity” for CNMI students.

Calvary Christian Academy teacher and coach Vanesa Pritchard expressed her disappointment over the possible discontinuance of the event next year.

“I am a little bit disappointed…but we understand the state of the economy. We’re just hoping that somebody else would be able to sponsor and somehow get Mathcounts to continue in the CNMI. This is a great competition and it inspires [students] to study and love math. This is something that would truly help them in their future career,” she told Saipan Tribune.

CCA, Pritchard said, has been in the competition for 10 years.

For Saipan International School student Hyeon Joon Jun, Mathcounts has been a provider of “wonderful experience” to every participants.

“Because math applies to any jobs…it is something that helps us prepare for our future. I hope it will continue,” he said.

Joon Jun emerged as this year’s third best player in the individual round.

He vowed to do his best in the state competition next month to grab the opportunity to be in the national contest.

“For me, Mathcounts makes students competitive, learn how to make friends with others, and develop teamwork and cooperation among students. It is also where we learn how to apply strategies…and aim high for the best,” he added.