Glacier student shines on Trig-Star

Glacier High School once again had a student rise to the top of the annual Trig-Star math contest.

Michael DeBuff, who just graduated from Glacier, placed second in the state, earning a $1,000 award.

In the fall he will attend the University of Montana where he will study computer and mathematical sciences.

In the Trig-Star contest, students are given four trigonometry problems to solve in under 60 minutes. The math problems apply to the surveying profession.

In 2012-13, Glacier had the first-place state winner, Carmen Miele.

To move on to the state competition, DeBuff placed first at the school and Northwest chapter level, earning a $150 award and a graphing calculator. Glacier sophomore Silas Schwarz took second place in the chapter competition and received $100.

The National Society of Professional Surveyors sponsors Trig-Star. About 60 students competed in the valley this year from Columbia Falls, Whitefish and Flathead high schools in addition to Glacier.

Other school winners were: Jelisa Holmquist, Flathead, Sarah Perez, Whitefish and Hayden Pierce, Columbia Falls.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com