Calculus: A word that strikes fear into the hearts of mortals and mathematicians alike.

This class, once a college exclusive, has in recent years become available to high school students through the Advanced Placement program. The class is certainly one of the most difficult mathematics courses offered during high school and Calculus BC specifically, a class which covers two semesters of college calculus, might even be one of the most difficult courses offered during high school.

The BC Calculus class began with about 20 students and as of the second six weeks is down to half of that. These proud students are in for a difficult and very productive year, especially with the help of BC Calculus’ teacher Cathy West. Mrs. West makes sure everyone in the room is comfortable with the concept before moving on with the lecture. This teaching style keeps the students passing, successful and able to cope with the massively difficult concepts BC Calculus provides.

BC Calculus, while the most difficult individual course, is not the minimum amount of mathematics possible to take. A few students are taking both BC Calculus and AP Physics C, a calculus-based physics course.  Among these, there are two students who are also taking AP Statistics. I am one of these proud students. The nights are long, I have no social life and my dog often goes unfed, but I love it.

Math is the language of the universe and understanding that language intrigues me to no end. Because of this love, the rest of the world likes to call me crazy, bonkers and wacko. I, on the other hand, prefer the title of ‘Mathematician Super Genius.’