FORT WORTH, Texas — For Tarrant County College’s brightest scholars, mathematics is more than a subject. It’s a pathway to possibility. At the 38th Annual Jim Bolen Mathematics Competition, 24 students from across TCC’s campuses earned more than $241,000 in scholarships and prizes, including a full-tuition award valued at more than $200,000.
The highest-performing students received a combination of cash prizes, TCC Foundation scholarships and university transfer scholarships from partner institutions.
- Texas Christian University awarded its Bolen Scholarship, valued at more than $200,000 and covering full tuition for up to six semesters, to Tifany “Fred” Nguyen (TCC South), who plans to continue her studies at TCU.
- East Texas A&M University presented $1,000 renewable scholarships to Son “Danny” Tran (TCC Northeast/Northwest) and Thanh Le (TCC South).
- Angelo State University awarded $6,000 renewable scholarships to Son “Danny” Tran, Thanh Le, Tifany “Fred” Nguyen and Sigyan Shrestha (TCC Northeast).
- UT Arlington awarded $1,500 stackable scholarships to Sigyan Shrestha, Oluwatamilore Owodunni (TCC South) and Katie Lay (TCC Southeast).
- The TCC Foundation also awarded scholarships during the ceremony to Preston Minor (Northeast), Trong Thanh Ha (Southeast), Joshua Bowes (Northwest), Kenneth Bramlett (Northwest), Matt Garland (Northwest), Hao Nguyen (Southeast) and Evan Rodenas (Northeast).
“We work hard to create pathways for students to achieve their academic and career goals,” said CynthiaBoyd, TCC Foundation advisor to Chancellor Elva LeBlanc. “Scholarships from both TCC and our university partners help make those dreams possible.”
Dr. LeBlanc said the students’ achievements reflect the college’s broader mission. “You are winners. Jim Bolen Mathematics Competition winners,” she told them. “But more than that, you are TCC Trailblazers with the determination to reach out and grab a better future.”
Held annually in fall and spring rounds, the competition is sanctioned by the American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges (AMATYC) Student Mathematics League, which challenges students nationwide in advanced mathematics, including algebra, trigonometry and analytical geometry.
Campus Winners
Campus winners received $300 cash prizes, courtesy of the TCC Foundation:
- Northeast: Preston Minor (fall and spring, $600)
- Northwest: Joshua Bowes and Kyla Sprekelmeyer (tie, fall, $300 each); Son “Danny” Tran (spring, $300)
- Southeast: Thanh Ha (fall and spring, $600)
- South: Thanh Le (fall and spring, $600)
- Trinity River: Alexis Klement (fall and spring, $600)
Runner-up honors, funded by a McGraw Hill ALEKS donation, recognized additional high achievers across campuses in both the fall and spring rounds.
Top 10 Scorers
TCC’s top scorers received cash awards ranging from $100 to $1,000:
- Son “Danny” Tran (Northeast/Northwest): $1,000
- Preston Minor (Northeast): $900
- Thanh Le (South): $900
- Trong Thanh Ha (Southeast): $800
- Alexis Klement (Trinity River): $700
- Juhyun Hur (Southeast): $600
- Jooan Lee (Southeast): $500
- Giang Cao (Southeast): $400
- Nguyen Bui (Southeast): $300
- April Castanñeda (South): $200
- Michael Taylor (Northwest): $100
The competition is named for the late Jim Bolen, a revered TCC mathematics professor. An endowment from the Bolen family, including former Fort Worth Mayor Bob Bolen, Dr. Bolen’s brother, ensures continued support for TCC’s involvement in AMATYC’s national contest.