Transpacific Int’l maintains support to Mathcounts

Despite the local staging of Mathcounts being held in abeyance, regular supporter, Transpacific International Inc. is upbeat that it will be revived in the near future.

Making a $1,000 donation to Mathcounts recently, Marcos Fong said, “We’re sad to see that the program is going to be halted. But we’re happy that it is just a halt and it may be restarted soon.”

Fong, the group executive vice president for the group of companies composed of Coca-Cola Beverage Company (Micronesia), Inc., Subway Investments Corp., Foremost Foods Saipan, Glimpses of Saipan, and Foremost Scoops, said that Transpacific International has always been supportive of educational programs such as Mathcounts.

Transpacific International Inc. has been a major sponsor of the Northern Mariana Islands math competition for so many years.

Fong expressed optimism that the competition will be revived, saying, “We hope that Mathcounts will grow even bigger when it gets back.”

Efrain F. Camacho, president, EFC Engineers and Architects and organizer of the yearly math competition, accepted the donation on behalf of Mathcounts.

The organization said that the NMI chapter Mathcounts competition will be put on hold only briefly. “Once we reopen our engineering firm, in a year or so, we will start Mathcounts again,” Camacho said.

As for those who are disappointed to see the competition put on hold, Camacho had this to say, “Continue to study because we will be back in about a year. Just continue studying and look for us.”

Camacho has high hopes for the prospects of the four students who will represent the NMI delegates at the Mathcounts national competition. “We’re excited to send the kids and their coach to Florida. We’re now making arrangements with Northwest Airlines. We’re all set to go.”

The four NMI Mathcounts delegates include Ji Hoon Choi and Jang Min Jeong of Calvary Christian Academy; Jun Hyeon Joon of Saipan International School; and Oh Hye Young of Marianas Baptist Academy. The students will be accompanied by coach Valerie Pritchard.

EFC Engineers & Architects held the 16th Mathcounts competition on March 7 this year at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe. The national math competition will be held on May 7 to 10 at Disney World Swan & Dolphin Hotel in Orlando, Florida.[B][I] (PR)[/I][/B]