Math enthusiast secures grant for her school
By Melissa Muntz Community Reporter

(l to r) Math coordinator Matthew Rosenthal, eighth-grade Assistant Principal Chris Starczewski and eighth-grader Jane Aulenback review the grant award letter Aulenback received this past summer. PHOTO/MELISSA MUNTZ

Shrewsbury - Eighthgrader Jane Aulenback is a star basketball player who is popular among her peers and well liked by her teachers. But while most of her classmates may know her for her athletic accomplishments, it's her love of math that is putting her on the map at Oak Middle School these days.

While playing games on an academic website geared toward math enthusiasts, Aulenback came across an ad for a grant writing contest, the winner of which would receive a $1,000 grant for their school's math department and a personal $1,000 college scholarship.

Aulenback wrote the essay, but never imagined that hers would be chosen as the winner.

"I was really surprised because I just wrote it for the fun of it," she said. "It took me three days to write it, but I didn't tell anybody because I really didn't think I would win."

But she did win, not only to her surprise but also to the surprise of her parents and teachers, who had no idea she had written the essay months before.

"It's very exciting because it's always nice to see a student take a chance and also enjoy math outside of school," said Matthew Rosenthal, math coordinator for Oak Middle.

Aulenback's essay explained what she would do with the $1,000 grant if she won, saying that she would purchase several math-related games and supplies like pencils, paper, rulers and calculators.

More than anything, Aulenback said, she would try to increase interest in the subject, which she said is very important for all students to get excited about.

"Without math, life would be so diff erent and we would not have a lot of the technology that we have today," she wrote. "With the $1,000 grant for my school I would help make math fun, but in a way that students would still learn at the same time."

The school plans to purchase several graphing calculators with the grant money, bringing them closer to their ultimate goal of having a full set for every classroom teacher.

Rosenthal said the calculators are expensive, but are critical tools in increasing the student's level of understanding.

"Every little bit helps," he said. "My goal is to help and support teachers with math instruction and with Jane's help, I'll be able to do that even more."

Eighth-grade Assistant Principal Chris Starczewski said the initiative Aulenback showed in seeking out and obtaining the grant is just one of the many reasons she stands out among her peers.

"Her interest in math and athletics creates a well-rounded person that people can look up to," he said. "And especially with girls in the math, science and technology fields, I think Jane is a model for other girls to look up to."

Starczewski said Aulenback is a walking example of the spirit of Oak Middle School, and hopes other students follow her lead.

"It's not just about walking through the doors here," he said. "Any opportunity the students have to give back should be taken, and this is a perfect example of that."

The school has already received the grant, and hopes to purchase the calculators in the coming weeks.