The Jamaican Mathematical Olympiad (JMO) recently held its 2022-2023 edition, with 2,800 students participating in the Senior and Junior Mathematical Olympiads. The event was made possible through the support of Title Sponsor, New Fortress Energy, along with the Caribbean Actuarial Association (CAA) and FirstCaribbean International Bank (CIBC).

At the Jamaican Mathematical Olympiad Awards Ceremony, held on May 24 at The UWI's Mona Campus, a total of 92 primary and secondary school children were recognized for their outstanding achievements in the Olympiads. Among them, 54 students from grades 4 to 6 were acknowledged for excelling in the Junior Math Olympiad, having progressed through several rounds of the competition. Of these students, William Lei, a grade three student at the American International School of Kingston (AISK), emerged as the Junior National Mathematics Champion in the Grade 4 category. Riley Lowe from Belair Preparatory and Early Childhood and Bryce Wilson from Bright Beginnings Educational Centre were crowned champions in the Grade 5 and Grade 6 categories, respectively.

In the Senior Math Olympiad, 38 students from grades 7 to 11 were honored for their exceptional performances. These students were selected from a pool of 377 participants in the first round, which gradually narrowed down to 172 students in the second round and finally to 78 students in the final round. The top performers in each grade level were Daniel Gordon of Herbert Morrison Technical High (Grade 7), Tori Senior of Campion College (Grade 8), Deshaun Clarke of York Castle High (Grade 9), Austin Marin of Herbert Morrison Technical (Grade 10), and Kayla Wright of Campion College (Grade 11). Kayla Wright received a Special Award for Best Solution, having provided "perfect" solutions for five out of the eight problems presented to the competitors. Interestingly, her younger brother, Chad Wright, secured the second position in the Grade 9 category.

The awards ceremony also recognized the top three junior schools: Belair Preparatory and Early Childhood, Kensington Primary School, and Mona Preparatory. Campion College, The Manning's High School, and Herbert Morrison Technical High School were recognized as the top three senior schools.

Looking ahead, a group of high-performing seniors from this year's competition are currently undergoing training to represent Jamaica at the Mathematical Olympiad of Central America and the Caribbean, scheduled to take place in El Salvador from July 21 to 29, 2023. Dr. Sam McDaniel, the Olympiad Academic Coordinator, appealed for financial support to send the team to the upcoming Olympiad.

Former Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who served as the Keynote Speaker at the awards ceremony, praised The UWI for its dedication to producing skilled graduates in Mathematics. He also commended the sponsors for their financial support in recognizing the significance of the Olympiad and its impact on students' education.

Photo caption:  From left: Mrs. Jacqueline Burrell-Clarke from New Fortress Energy presenting Grade 3 student William Lei from AISK his first Place trophy, Mr. Stuart South from Caribbean Actuarial Association presenting Grade 4 student Bryce Hudson from Hosanna Preparatory, Ms. Renae Whitehorne from CIBC- FirstCaribbean Bank presenting Grade 5 student Crisarah Langley from Mineral Heights Primary. Mathematical Olympiad combined. Both annual competitions – divisions of the wider Jamaican Mathematical Olympiad (JMO) – are organised and executed in several rounds by the Mathematics Department, Faculty of Science and Technology, at The UWI.

Follow the Faculty of Science and Technology on Instagram @uwimona_fst and on Facebook at @ The Faculty of Science and Technology, The UWI Mona. For enquiries, WhatsApp us at 1-876 552-4691, call us at 1-876-977-1785 or email us at fst@uwimona.edu.jm.