Biography
Much of my life has been organized around a variety of scientific and mathematical pursuits. In 6th grade, the middle school I attended allowed me to advance ahead 3 years in math, to Algebra 1, which is where my interest in math began. Because of the math program I was in, I went with several other kids in my class to the local high school to compete on the math team, and take the test as alternates. This meant we could take the test and see how we did, but were not ranked among the other schools present. I did this again in 7th and 8th grade. At the end of 8th grade, I was a member of the Chicago ARML D team. That summer, I participated in the Ross Program at Ohio State, which gives high school students the chance to complete a college-level course in number theory. When I entered high school the following fall, there were more options available for acceleration in math. I was able to take AP Calculus as a freshman, and Multivariable Calculus and Differential Equations as a sophomore. In my two years of high school in Illinois, I placed 3rd in the ILML, 1st in the Pythagorean Division of CML, and 3rd in the Calculus Division of CML in my school. At the ICTM regional contest, my team placed 2nd, and I placed 1st in Algebra 1, and 1st in the Frosh/Soph 2-person contest. At the ICTM state contest, the Algebra 1 team placed 5th, and I placed 4th in Algebra 1, 2nd in Geometry, and 2nd and 3rd in the Frosh/Soph Two Person Team. I also received several perfect papers in NSML, in Algebra 1 and Geometry. After 9th grade, I participated in ARML again, this time on the C team. I also tied, among several people, for the top individual score on the team. In the summers of 2001 and 2002, I returned to the Ross Program to work as a junior counselor, assisting in teaching the younger students. In 2002, I participated in the USAMO, and then went to the MOP summer training program. During my sophomore year, I applied for admission to Choate Rosemary Hall in Ct., and entered as a Junior this fall. I joined the math team where I have been on the 1st place CSAML team, and will be competing in the NEAML later this year. The team also placed 2nd in GHNML and I placed 3rd individually. An important part of my life, from 6th through 10th grades, has been participating in the Science Olympiad program. During those 5 years my team placed 1st or 2nd in regional competition each year, and first at State 4 of the 5 years. In all 5 years we qualified for the national competition. Nationally, as a team, we placed 4th in 6th grade, 11th in 7th grade, 10th in 8th grade, 11th in 9th grade, and 7th in 10th grade. The 6th grade and 10th grade rankings were the best in the history of the respective schools. During those 5 years I received the following medals: Regional: 6 first place, 2 second place, 1 third place and 1 fourth place. State: 2 first place, 2 second place, 1 third place, and 1 fourth place. National: 1 first place, 1 second place, 2 fourth place, and 1 fifth place. Outside of these math and science activities, I enjoy playing ultimate frisbee, and spending time with my friends. The most important part of who I am is centered in my faith, and I enjoy involvement in any church related activities. This is at the heart of who I am, and how I attempt to live my life.