The Tyrone High School math department is ecstatic that at least six seniors from the Class of 2024 plan to pursue degrees in a math-related field after high school.
“I really enjoyed what the math program at Tyrone had to offer, it’s always been something that clicked with me. I’ve always been extremely engaged and interested in it,” said senior AJ Coleman, who plans to major in engineering in college.
Coleman and fellow seniors Alysa Wheland, Austin White, Noah Newlin, Lauren Fleck, and Connor Bennett have all been successful throughout their high school careers and excelled in Tyrone’s math program.
TAHS math department chairperson Michele Marasco taught all of these students and she is proud of their accomplishments and post-secondary plans.
“They have gained critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will aid them in their success as they enter a STEM field in college,” Marasco said.
The students all credit the Tyrone math department for helping them to develop their skills and prepare them for college.
Wheland plans to major in mathematics with a concentration in actuarial science and a minor in data science. Actuarial science deals with the financial cost of risk and uncertainty for businesses.
“I owe more credit to Mrs. Marasco than I could possibly explain,” Wheland said, “She has always given her students all the resources they need to succeed. She takes time to help her students, whether in class, advisory, or any time she is free. She is one of the most selfless people I know, and I admire her for that.”
Wheland hasn’t yet committed to a college, but she is currently considering Towson University in Maryland.
The other five students all plan on majoring in some area of engineering.
“I enjoy engineering and math makes sense to me, so I chose mechanical engineering because it has a broader range of opportunities,” Newlin said.
Newlin plans to attend Virginia Tech in the fall.
Seniors Connor Bennett and Austin White will attend Penn State in the fall for engineering.
“Throughout my career here at Tyrone, Mrs. Marasco has had a big impact on my education. She made her class one to look forward to, and her teaching style made Calculus easier,” White said.
Bennett will be at Penn State Altoona for aerospace or mechanical engineering. He credits Marasco and fellow math department teacher Chelsea Markel for helping him to understand and even love math.
“Ms. Markel has helped me understand the basics of the math needed to be an engineer,” Bennett said.
White will be at Penn State University Park in the fall majoring in aerospace engineering. He said that Marasco made her class one to look forward to, and her teaching style made Calculus easier.
Senior Lauren Fleck plans to attend Penn State Altoona and major in electrical engineering.
“Math has always been an interest of mine and it has come very easily to me,” Fleck said.
Her advice to those who struggle with math is to stick with it. “Math can be a lot of fun whenever the lesson just starts to click,” Fleck said.
