CKS College News

Henry Jefferson Morco, a third year student of our high school department , recently participated in the 51st International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) in Astana, Kazahkstan from July 6 to 13, 2010 and came home with honorable mention. He was one of the three-member team of the Philippine delegation. The other members were: Carmela Antonette Lao of St. Jude Catholic School and Zheng Rong Wu of Zamboanga Chong Hua High School. Ian June Garces, an associate professor of mathematics at Ateneo de Manila University was team leader, while Glen Mackenzie Ong, former IMO awardee, was deputy team leader.

The IMO is the most prestigious math competition for high school students in the world. Out of more than 2,500 high school students nationwide, the Philippine Mathematical Olympiad (PMO) decided to select these three students after a month-long rigorous training and screening through the Mathematical Olympiad Summer Camp (MOSC) at Ateneo. More than 500 students from almost 100 countries joined the IMO this year. Contestants must not be over 20 years old, and must not have any postsecondary education, which ensures that everyone is a high school student.

The team was supported by the Science Education Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Mathematical Society of the Philippines (MSP), the Ateneo de Manila Math Department, the C & E Publishing, the Mathematics Trainers Guild (MTG), and the Mathematics Teachers Association of the Philippines.

The IMO is certainly not all work and no play. The contestants and trainers got the chance to see the beautiful capital of Astana, which has artistic architecture like palaces, museum, and towers. The people are very friendly and hospitable.. Henry Morco was most impressed with the patriotism of the people of Kazahkstan. “Their people love their country and their president with so fervent a passion that it shows in almost everything.” added Henry.