April 12th, 2023 by WCBC Radio
Colin Sheehe, a junior at Allegany High School, recently received notable scores on two
mathematics competitions: one sponsored by the University of Maryland, the other by the
Mathematical Association of America.
In October, James Bucy, Colin’s AP Calculus teacher, administered Part I of the University of Maryland Math Competition, open to all students enrolled in high schools in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Overall, 1,234 students took Part I, and of those, 228 qualified for Part II by receiving at least an 88 out of 150; Sheehe received a score of 98. On Part II of the test, he received a score of 90 out of 150. Based on the total score of both parts, he finished 48th in the overall competition (much improved from 187th last year as a sophomore), missing Honorable Mention by only four points. Sheehe was the highest scorer in Allegany County and attended an awards ceremony at the University of Maryland.
"Colin is probably the most mathematically gifted student I have taught during my 44 years of teaching. In addition to his astonishing math ability, he possesses an exceptional work ethic and attention to detail,” says James Bucy. “In the three courses I’ve taught Colin, he has not missed a single point. He is also always willing to help other students when they need assistance. It is a pleasure to have Colin in class, and I look forward to seeing where his abilities take him."
In November, Bucy administered the American Mathematics Competition, open to all high school
students in the United States. Sheehe received a score of 96 out of 150, which qualified him for
the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME) in February. The AIME is 3
hours long and invite-only. Sheehe received a score of 6 out of 15, placing him in the top 25% of
the 5,861 students nationwide who qualified for and completed the contest.
“Colin is quite a remarkable young man in the classroom and in the extracurricular arena (band and mock trial) as well,” says Heidi Laupert, Allegany High School Principal. “His academic and extracurricular performances are consistently exceptional. I also want to acknowledge Mr. Jim Bucy, Colin's math teacher; he has been pivotal in Colin's success. I am looking forward to witnessing Colin's senior year at Allegany High School."