Daniil Ushkov (Gatchina), 10th grade, third prize winner
I got into Maths in the 7th grade - my new Maths teacher sparked my interest in this subject; it was him who told me to try my hand at the ‘Formula of Unity / Third Millennium’ contest, as well. My teacher likes to say that practicing Maths regularly creates a methodical, orderly mind, and it helps you base all your decisions on logic. I have noticed the benefits that my Maths skills offer: it’s easier to handle tasks in other subjects, and everything seems easier in general. I often participate in various academic competitions - not only Maths ones but Physics ones, too. For example, I’ve won the regional stage of the Physics academic competition in the Leningrad region. As I’m graduating school next year, I’m already contemplating which university I’d like to study in; so far, I’ve decided on two of them - Saint Petersburg State University and ITMO University. I’m thinking about studying IT, but I’m considering Physics, too.
Ekaterina Filyugina (Podolsk), 11th grade, first prize winner
I graduated from a school that specializes on Maths. I had a wonderful teacher - Oksana Soklakova; I got my love of Maths from her. She is indefatigable in her enthusiasm for Maths, and she is the person who initiated me to the world of academic competitions, for which I am eternally grateful because I wouldn’t be in the place I am now without her. In our school, we had a Math study group which included me and three other people, and in 10th and 11th grades we took to compiling lists of all the academic competitions we’d like to take part in. It’s better to start participating early: this way, by the time you’re in a senior class you’ll be not only more stress-resistant but also more savvy as to which competitions are really worth the shot. Besides, although the tasks are based on the school curriculum, solving them requires applying different, unconventional methods, and mastering these methods takes time. There are a lot of different academic competitions happening annually, but all of them offer the same benefits: top exam scores or a guaranteed university place. That’s why I tried to take part in as many competitions as I could. My teacher had all the relevant reference material, and she was there for me 24/7 if I had any questions. I’ve always dreamt of studying Business Informatics at the Higher School of Economics, and winning the ‘Formula of Unity / Third Millennium’ Maths competition has enabled me to fulfil my dream.
Kirill Tropnikov (Arkhangelsk), 8th grade, third prize winner
I’ve been into Maths since my first grade, although I like many other subjects. School isn’t the only place where I study Maths. This June, for example, thanks to our city mayor Igor Godzish's help, I’ve attended ‘Sozvezdie’, Arkhangelsk counterpart of ‘Sirius’, the famous Sochi school for promising young people. I participate in a plethora of academic competitions; recently, apart from ‘Formula of Unity’, I’ve also come in top places in numerous contests, namely the ‘Future of the Arctics’ academic competition held by the Northern (Arctic) Federal University. I haven’t decided which university I want to attend yet, but ITMO University is on the top of my list.
Anastasiia Vecher (Lipezk), 8th grade, third prize winner
My fascination with Maths started in the elementary school. I remember taking part in a Maths competition for young school students, and that was what really got me into it all. I started attending different study groups specializing in subjects like Programming, Physics and Chemistry, but always liked Maths best. I haven’t given much thought to the choice of my future profession yet. I’m just enjoying participating in Maths summer schools and academic competitions and so plan to deal with these tough career questions later on. As for higher education, I think I’d like to study in Moscow or St. Petersburg, but I haven’t decided on a university yet.
Sergey Shimanskiy (St. Petersburg), 8th grade, first prize winner
Despite the fact that I’ve never attended any Maths study groups, I’ve been into Maths since I was little. I’ve always striven to be in the top of my Maths class. I am a regular participant of many academic competitions; this year is my most successful year yet as I’ve come third in the Maths academic competition city-wide. I think that my Maths skills make my life much simpler. I don’t know where I’d like to study after I finish school, but I’ve decided that I want my future profession to have a connection with Maths.
Egor Korolev (St. Petersburg), 5th grade, third prize winner
I’ve been showing an inclination to Maths from the first grade of elementary school, and so when I was making a transition to secondary school my parents decided to transfer me to an institution specializing in teaching Maths and Physics. I participated in a lot of academic competitions, many of which were held online. I really enjoyed partaking in ‘Formula of Unity / Third Millennium’ as its tasks really challenged me to think outside of the box and search for new solutions. I haven’t made up my mind about where I’d like to continue my education, but I know that my interests lie in Engineering, Optics and Programming, and that’s why I think that ITMO University will definitely be one of the places I’ll apply for.
Emil Alkin (Ufa), 11th grade, first prize winner
I’ve taken interest to Maths in my 6th grade. I owe much of my knowledge and progress to my Maths teacher Nina Uskova, who has received the title of the Honored teacher of Russia. Over the course of my school years, I participated in different Maths summer schools like Sochi’s ‘Sirius’, ‘Spektr’, which takes place in Kazan, and ‘Young Mathematician’, which is a part of the world-famous ‘Orlyonok’. I’ve taken a shot at most Maths competitions, and was successful in some of them. For instance, this year I’ve won the Moscow Maths competition for 11th grade students; I’ve also received a prize of the All-Russian Maths academic competition. Though I’m really into Maths, I also like Physics and Programming. I haven’t chosen a university yet but I know that I’ll apply for a program in the field of Maths and, possibly, IT.
