HHH Students Named Math Scholars

The Institute of Creative Problem Solving for Gifted and Talented Students at SUNY College at Old Westbury announced that three students from Half Hollow Hills were among 75 named Long Island Young Scholars of Mathematics and were accepted by the Institute to pursue mathematics and mathematical science applications.

The high-achieving students are Bailey Liao, a 9th grader at ; and Kory Fitzgerald and Lianna He, both in the 8th grade at . Students selected in the Institute are among the top one-tenth of one percent in math of all students on Long Island in his or her grade.

Acceptance is based on five criteria: a rigorous entrance exam, nomination, school transcript, a recommendation of the student's last math teacher and a brief statement written by the student.

Half Hollow Hills Director of Mathematics, Ian Dunst, was recently informed that these students had performed at a top honoree level at last May's LI Young Scholars of Mathematics competition held at SUNY Old Westbury. At the May competition, 850 top ranking students from school districts across Long Island participated in a comprehensive mathematics competition, and 75 students were selected to be in this top honoree category.

"This phenomenal accomplishment demonstrates these students' mathematical capabilities," commented Dunst. "Their future accomplishments will only be limited by time and their imagination. As a school district, we are extraordinarily proud of there achievements." By distinguishing their mathematical skills at this level, all three students have been attending Saturday classes at SUNY Old Westbury, extending and enriching their math experiences at no cost.

To further chronicle the student's accomplishments, each will be presented with a certificate at the HHH Board of Education meeting on Monday, December 6, at 8 p.m. at the and will also receive a proclamation at the Huntington Town Board meeting to be held on December 14 at 7 p.m. at Huntington Town Hall.