The annual awards ceremony hosted by the Department of Mathematics at The UWI Mona Campus on Thursday, April 10th, celebrated the culmination of an intense competition that brought together some of Jamaica's brightest young minds. For participants like William Lei, the challenging environment was a key part of its appeal. “I know there were so many brilliant peers there competing and I knew it was going to be tough but that’s what made it so great,” said William Lei, describing the competition as amazing. His sentiment highlights the presence of a significant yet often 'invisible' minority of bright young mathematicians across Jamaica, brought together by the challenging and rewarding experience of the Olympiad – a group whose talent often goes unnoticed in the broader society.

In a testament to the high level of competition, William Lei from American International School of Kingston (AISK), age 10, secured the trophy for the best solution paper in the grade 9-11 category, while 12-year-old Andre Thru from Cornwall College earned the trophy for the best solutions paper in the 7-8 category. Reflecting on his experience, Thru found the competition to be "very organized and the test paper challenging but definitely doable with practice and knowledge of mathematics," adding that it was a "well-orchestrated competition that can really promote mathematics." Both students achieved first place in their respective grade levels.

The success of William and Andre was just a glimpse of the widespread talent celebrated at the ceremony as this year's Jamaican Mathematical Olympiad drew an impressive participation of over 2,500 students from 108 primary and preparatory schools across the island. This remarkable turnout clearly demonstrated the widespread enthusiasm for mathematics among young Jamaicans.

Exemplifying this celebration of talent were the achievements of the Thaxter brothers from Wolmer's High School for Boys. Joshua Thaxter who demonstrated his mathematical aptitude by securing 5th place at the Grade 7 level, a feat matched by his brother Mattheau, who also achieved 5th place in the Grade 8 category. The achievements of 109 of these students, celebrated across various levels and categories, underscore a key point: mathematical excellence is not limited to a select few institutions. The recognition of top-performing junior-level schools like Creative Kids Learning Academy, Kensington Primary School, and Emmanuel Christian Academy reveals the presence of often-untapped mathematical talent – hidden gems of ability nurtured within students from diverse educational backgrounds, reflecting a deep understanding and advanced problem-solving skills honed in Jamaican schools.

The senior category also witnessed significant engagement with 508 students from 29 high schools participating. From this competitive group, 48 students distinguished themselves, earning certificates and trophies for their mathematical prowess. The top three senior high schools recognized for their students' achievements were Campion College, Hillel Academy, and Herbert Morrison Technical High School.

The keynote address was delivered by the Honorable Juliet Holness, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Member of Parliament for St. Andrew East Rural. Sharing her own path, Mrs. Holness attributed her successful career as a chartered accountant to her childhood involvement with numbers, specifically in calculating her family's business profits. Her message to the young Olympians centered on the values of honesty and hard work, "I believe in an honest bread which is earned honestly and working hard – a very big and important part of life and of who I wanted to be." She emphasized that her early experiences in the family business instilled in her the crucial need for critical thinking and integrity. The Jamaican Mathematical Olympiad, she noted, plays a vital role in nurturing mathematical talent, encouraging problem-solving skills, and cultivating a passion for mathematics in students across all age groups.

Professor Heather Ricketts, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, conveyed greetings on behalf of Professor Densil Williams, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal of The University of the West Indies, Mona, emphasizing the significance of celebrating the accomplishments of these young mathematicians. In her address, Professor Ricketts highlighted the importance of recognizing the awardees, playfully quoting Christopher Martin's ‘I’m a Big Deal’, "It is a big deal because of the hope that you provide for a society and our economy which will always need people with mathematical skill to fill positions such as actuaries, accountants, economists, financial analysts, measurement specialists, statisticians, and game designers."

The Olympiad's success is a collaborative effort, supported by The UWI, Mona, the Ministry of Education, Skills and Youth and Information, and the generous sponsorship of New Fortress Energy, CIBC Caribbean, Caribbean Actuarial Association, and JPS Foundation. The attendance of key figures such as Ms. Terry Ann Thomas Gayle (Acting Chief Education Officer, MOESYI) and Ms. Annique Dawkins (Head of Country, CIBC Caribbean) further emphasized the significance of this collaborative endeavor.