Winner in Mathematics on November 13th, 2011
Ana, a senior, is a top student who has a passion for mathematics. She scored a 35 on the ACT and a 2340 on the SAT, scoring a perfect 800 on the math section of the test. She also took the SAT Math II subject test and scored a perfect 800. She has been recognized as a National Merit Commended Student and an AP Scholar with Honor. By graduation, she will have taken eight AP classes and 13 honors courses. She won the Smith College Book Award for special interest in engineering, math and science. A natural problem solver, Ana loves to learn mathematical concepts and how to apply them to real life situations. In Pre Calculus last year, she enjoyed learning about derivatives and graphical analysis because they helped her in physics. When she sees topics appearing in other classes, she is convinced they must have a practical purpose. Ana learned English as a second language. She and her family are Croatian, and they speak, read and write this language at home. Ana is able to think quickly and make extraordinary translations in her mind as though English were her native language. This past summer Ana was accepted in the Tennessee Governor’s School for Sciences and Engineering, where she took a focus class on linear algebra. She is president of the Cliosophic Society, president of the National Spanish Honor Society and Secretary/Treasurer of Mu Alpha Theta, the math honor society. She also is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, Tri-M Music Honor Society and Quill and Scroll. Ana enjoys teaching younger students and her peers who need help in math. She also volunteers through the Beta Club and with her church. She has served as a Vacation Bible School counselor, Cordova Library Teen volunteer and with Youth Striving for Excellence tutor.
