A Morgantown High School student played with favorable oddsnumbers, that isto win a logo contest for the West Virginia University Institute for Mathematics Learning.

Kristine Ericsons first-place entry featured the numbers 1, 3 and 7 rotated to form the institutes acronym, IML , said Amy Huckaby, a WVU administrative assistant who coordinated the contest.

The teen-agers winnings will include a WVU sweatshirt, art supply pack from Barrys Office Service, two free movie tickets from Carmike Cinemas and a coupon for one large pizza from Pizza Hut.

Angie Poag from Trinity High School placed second in the contest and will receive a pen set from Barrys Office Service and a coupon for one large pizza.

Ashley Field from Morgantown High finished third and will receive a coupon for one large pizza.

All contestants will receive a certificate of honorable mention.

WVU established the Institute for Mathematics Learning four years ago to enhance the teaching and learning of math at the University, throughout West Virginia and across Appalachia. Housed in the Department of Mathematics, the institutes long-term goal is to improve the quality of math instruction by ensuring that secondary schools are aware of collegiate expectations and that teachers have the tools they need to help students meet those academic standards.

The institute was in need of a logo to advertise its programs to the community, and organizers approached Monongalia County high school art classes about the contest. Entries were received from Morgantown and Trinity high schools.

More about IML on the Net:http://iml.math.wvu.edu/DesktopDefault.aspx