Sixteen-year-old Jamaican student Austin Martin has achieved great success in mathematics, earning a spot on the national Olympiad team in El Salvador. Austin, who attends Herbert Morrison Technical High School in St James, was chosen alongside three other students to represent Jamaica at the XXV Central American and Caribbean Mathematical Olympiad. His selection followed months of rigorous training and participation in the Jamaica Math Olympiad, where he emerged as the top student in grade 10. Austin’s commitment and determination impressed his family and led to his acceptance of an offer to attend further training at The University of the West Indies for the Regional Math Olympiad in El Salvador.
Despite the challenges of traveling from Montego Bay to Kingston every weekend for three months, Austin never missed a class, demonstrating his dedication to mastering mathematics. His hard work paid off when he was selected as one of the four students to make the Jamaican team for the international competition. Austin’s mother, Tanya, expressed her pride in her son’s achievements, highlighting his natural talent for math and his preference for quantitative subjects like chemistry and physics. Austin himself dreams of a future career as an astrophysicist, actuary, or marine scientist.
Although the Jamaican team did not secure a victory in El Salvador, Tanya commended the students for their efforts, emphasising that they represented their country admirably as the only English-speaking participants. Lecturer Ajani Ausaru from The University of the West Indies praised the team members for their outstanding performance in both the Jamaican Mathematical Olympiad and the Central American and Caribbean Mathematical Olympiad. Austin was joined on the team by Joshua Walcott and Cruz Caine from Campion College and Jo’Anna Hill from Montego Bay High School. With Jamaica being the sole English-speaking country at the event, their participation deserves recognition.
Jamaica has been participating in the Mathematical Olympiad since 2010, ensuring the nation’s top mathematical talents have the opportunity to compete internationally. The event in El Salvador involved twelve countries, including Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, and Puerto Rico. Organised by the host country, this year’s competition showcased the mathematical prowess of young minds across the region.
