What to Expect  

by Kaylyn Zhang

Two years ago, I participated in the Canadian Team Mathematics Contest (CTMC), a fun and challenging math competition hosted by the University of Waterloo. I still remember how exciting it was to work together with the other five of my teammates. It was one of the first times I realized how enjoyable math could be, not just as a subject, but as something that unites people.

This year, I was able to return to CTMC as a volunteer. Watching the 20 participants from the sidelines enjoy their time together helped me almost relive that day, seeing everyone collaborate and make new friends within the normally competitive environment. My volunteering experience felt very meaningful, as I wasn’t solving problems myself rather helping others experience the same excitement and joy that I remember. In the future, I hope we are able to create more opportunities like this, where kids can come together to make friends and explore math in a fun and supportive way.

The happiness that comes from getting the right answer to a difficult problem does not nearly constitute a small fraction of the mathematical experience. It’s really about working as a team, being able to support each other, and growing together.