PHNOM PENH: Eighteen brilliant Golden Gate American School (GGAS) students won medals at the Pangea Math World Olympiad this week in Germany, bringing home four gold, four silver and ten bronze medals. Eleventh grader Tep Sovanpisey won 1st place, Da Nukreach won 2nd place, and Phoung Panharith won the 3rd place overall amongst students from seven different countries.
The students left Cambodia on May 4 with confidence and determination to make their country proud. EAC News had the opportunity to speak with students before their departure. Future 1st place winner, Tep Sovanpisey, said that the Pangea Math World Olympiad is a great program that allows students to test their knowledge to the best of their ability and to strengthen their math skills. She said that in addition to the school giving her practice questions ahead of the competition, she did some of her own research to prepare for the competition.
Another math gold medalist, Touch Vann Leng, told EAC that he was happy to represent Cambodia at the Pangea Math World Olympiad. “I’m feeling kind of nervous about this test and really excited to do this test for the Cambodia Student. Yes! I’m really happy about it,” he said.
This was ninth grader Ty Chanzana’s first time attending the competition, where she won a silver medal. Before departing for Germany, she said, "I feel very excited and very honored to be able to have this opportunity to join a math competition in Berlin, Germany."
GGAS teacher Ruan Boyens accompanied the 18 students to Germany, who all returned home with medals. He said that while the Pangea Math World Olympiad is held annually in Berlin, this is the first year that the GGAS has participated. Overall about 75 students from seven countries competed.
The international math competition is an entertaining and challenging opportunity for primary, secondary and high school students. With the motto "Mathematics connects," the Pangea Math World Olympiad unites students from different parts of the world, and varying social and educational backgrounds under their shared interest in mathematics. The competition encourages students to motivate each other and share their experiences and success with their peers. The returning GGAS champions certainly have a lot to celebrate.
