[LavrentiBeria]

U.S. International Mathematical Olympiad Team Announced

June 16, 2008

U.S. team leaders announced the six students from across the country who will represent the United States at the 49th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) in Madrid. The students completed the third part of the IMO Team Selection Test on Friday, June 13.

The 2008 U.S. IMO team is:

Paul Christiano, The Harker School, San Jose, California.
Christiano was born and lives in San Jose. He spends most of his time playing piano, programming, or learning and doing mathematics and computer science. His interest in mathematics significantly predates his ability to form long-term memories, so he can't hope to explain its origin, but he credits his high school teachers and especially his parents with encouraging him to pursue that interest. Next fall, he will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Shaunak Kishore, Unionville High School, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
Kishore plans to study applied mathematics, possibly biology or economics. He won the Princeton Mathematics Contest this year and presented at the Young Epidemiology Scholars national convention on the spread of tuberculosis. In his free time, he enjoys running track, and playing Frisbee and video games. Kishore will plans to attend MIT this fall.

Evan O’Dorney, Berkeley Math Circle, Berkeley, California.
O’Dorney’s passions are music and math. In his spare time, Evan improvises at the piano, juggles, and invents board games. He likes doing taekwondo with his friends. Evan triumphed at the 2007 Scripps National Spelling Bee after two years of intensely studying the dictionary. Evan especially enjoys solving and making up math problems. For the past year, he has created problems used in monthly contests at the Berkeley Math Circle.

olin Sandon, Essex High School, Essex Junction Vermont.
Sandon is a National Merit Finalist, a Siemens AP scholar, and a 2007 U.S. Physics Olympiad semi-finalist. He led his high school’s team to an undefeated 2008 season in the Vermont Math League and was a member of the 2007 Vermont State champion chess team. He enjoys computer programming, playing chess and go, and reading fantasy and science fiction. Sandon will be attending MIT in the fall.

Krishanu Sankar, Horace Mann School, Riverdale, New York.
A USAMO winner in 2007, he was also invited to attend the Physics Olympiad camp. He credits his parents and brother for encouraging him, as well as his math teacher, Christopher Jones. Sankar has been studying violin for seven years, is a brown belt in karate, and enjoys playing frisbee and video games. Sankar will be attending MIT this fall.

Alex Zhai, University Laboratory High School, Urbana, Illinois.
This will be Zhai’s third consecutive trip to the IMO. He earned a silver medal in Slovenia in 2006, and a gold medal at last year’s IMO in Vietnam. He has received the National Latin Exam gold award during all four years of high school. In his free time, he plays chess and soccer, loves to read, and “learning unusual skills of limited utility.” Zhai will be attending Harvard this fall.

The students will take part in the rigorous Mathematical Olympiad Summer Program (MOSP) at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln before heading to Spain on July 10.

Private high schools = rich peoples' kids, and no disadvantaged minorities. This does not represent America.

[Pillbox Joe]

Originally Posted by LavrentiBeria

Private high schools = rich peoples' kids, and no disadvantaged minorities. This does not represent America.

You don't see rich kids from private high schools trying to press the disadvantaged minorities out of sports, do you? Let them have their team, what the hell? Besides, when did America start becoming so interested in intellectual pursuits?

[Depth]

Originally Posted by LavrentiBeria

U.S. International Mathematical Olympiad Team Announced


Private high schools = rich peoples' kids, and no disadvantaged minorities. This does not represent America.

I think this team is based on ability and not quotas.

[TheSweetScience]

Originally Posted by LavrentiBeria

U.S. International Mathematical Olympiad Team Announced


Private high schools = rich peoples' kids, and no disadvantaged minorities. This does not represent America.

public schools + no child left behind = lowest common denominator


how's that for mathematics?

[Sherpa]

Looks like MIT is the place to be this fall for Math Olympians!

[InternetHero]

Originally Posted by Pillbox Joe

You don't see rich kids from private high schools trying to press the disadvantaged minorities out of sports, do you? Let them have their team, what the hell? Besides, when did America start becoming so interested in intellectual pursuits?

Nice!

I like everything about this post.


As well it is interesting how little credit the U.S. invests in any intellectual accomplishment.

[VikingRage]

Music, Chess, Martial arts = The Trilogy of a higher understanding of life and to understand ones self.

All the members are Men though, I wonder if the feminist movement is going to get all pissy.

[Babalu]

Shaunak Kishore ,Krishanu Sankar, Horace Mann ,Alex Zhai

these names dont sound american. i call it brain drain

[Polynikes]

Originally Posted by Babalu

Shaunak Kishore ,Krishanu Sankar, Horace Mann ,Alex Zhai

these names dont sound american. i call it brain drain

Anyone criticizing this program or it's selective membership is an idiot.

That includes this dickhead that I quoted, and LavrentiBaria as well.

News flash: America is comprised of tons of different cultures, and tons of different skin colors. That's what makes us great by the way, and that's also why millions of people all over the world want to come here.

Are you also pissed that Bernard Lagat is running track for the American Olympic Team this year?

LavrentiBaria, how does this team not represent America? I think you're being facetious actually.

[AmericaOverAll]

If they are they best, they should go. That is what matters.