On Thursday, May 20th, I was absolutely honored to be awarded with the Outstanding Mathematics Student – Special Google Computer Award from the Central High School Mathematics Department. The award was a certificate and a computer! The computer came with a backpack with the Google and Lenovo logos embroidered on it. The Lenovo G550 laptop came with a beautiful Google logo on the front with Windows 7 and a complimentary copy of Microsoft Office Home & Student 2007.
My love for math is like the tail end of a convex function, increasing at an increasing rate. My first year of math left me confused and slightly dismayed but my love still lingered. During my second year, I met a teacher of supreme caliber. She helped me significantly to rekindle my love and leading in mathematics. She recognized my abilities and worked towards their growth. Her impeccable will to teach, to scold, and to laugh and above all, to care, has made me undeniably a better student. This year, my calculus teacher, also one of the unequivocal mathematics masters, taught me the art of change with finesse and incredible diligence, laughing with me at jokes and even taking an interest in my programming pursuits.
These two teachers, Ms. Olson and Ms. Steele, beyond any question are amazing. The nominations for the Google Computer Award mean so much to me. I was absolutely shocked when the speaker said:
“Okay, this is a very special award and this is an honor and privilege to give this award out. Google in their kindness and generosity donated 5 laptop computers to this school, one for a teacher, me. But four for students! One to a graduating senior, one to a student in need, and two for these young students over here for outstanding achievement in math. The selection process was a very careful thought out deal.”
As Mr. Humphrey handed me the bag and shook my hand, I was totally grinning with excitement. That was utterly amazing; I was not expecting anything of the sort; I never saw a hint, any clues or pointers. I was stunned beyond words while I was up there on that stage. Up there, I was in complete awe from the moment he said, “Google,” to the moment I got home. Even now, I still find it hard to believe!
The approach of no limit could contain the sheer honor I have received from these two exponentially exceptional teachers and the universal set of the mathematics department of Central High School. I am required to humbly say thank you to all of you who have helped me achieve such great heights in mathematics. Not only to the tantalizingly extraordinary teachers who have been so critical to my successes, but to my friends who have sat with me for years in classes while we worked through problem after problem, laughing and agonizing over them and of course to my parents who promoted my love for mathematics in every way they could (short of understanding derivatives).
Thank you so much.
Congratulations, Ryan. You deserve it!
Congrats!