Bozeman's own Amy Chou will a competing seventh grader in the national Math Counts competition. Chou is the daughter of MSU's assistant professor of mathematics, Fengjen Luo. The seventh grader has already proved she can as the math portion of the SAT's but her sites are set on the upcoming national competition.Amanda Ricker - Bozeman Daily Chronicle

The top 78 math students from 26 middle schools across the state crowded the Strand Union Ballroom at Montana State University Wednesday afternoon, vying for a chance to qualify for the national MATHCOUNTS Competition in Washington, D.C. in May.

Amy Chou, a seventh grader at Bozeman's Sacajawea Middle School, was among four students who qualified.

"My hands are numb right now," the 13-year-old said after winning. "I can't even feel them."

Chou buzzed in and answered correctly within five seconds of a math problem being shown on an overhead to earn her spot at nationals.

Chou has completed Algebra II, usually a high school course. She took fifth place in Saturday's Gallatin County spelling bee. She plays the piano, violin and French horn.

Chou took the SAT test and got a perfect score in math, said her mom, Fengjen Luo, who is an assistant professor of mathematics instruction at Montana State University. Her father is an engineer.

"She's way smarter than I am," said Doug Kraft, Sacajawea math team coach. "I can't coach her. I just sign her up and bring her and tell her to calm down."

Full article at bozemandailychronicle.com

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