Ramya Rangan, Gr. 10, recently earned a bronze medal at the 2009 China Girls Mathematical Olympiad (CGMO), held Aug. 12 – 16 in the city of Xiamen. Rangan was one of seven medalists on the U.S. team, four of whom were from high schools in Silicon Valley. The girls received a warm welcome upon their return home, and were interviewed by both ABC News and KTSF (Chinese).

A total of 51 teams from China, the U.S., Russia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore were present at the Olympiad. The U.S. team comprised finalists in the U.S. Mathematical Olympiad held earlier this year.

Aside from the math competition, an aerobics competition was held to promote togetherness among the CGMO competitors. Rangan and her teammates also did some sightseeing during their stay, going on a shopping excursion in Xiamen and visiting the Ocean Park Hong Kong theme park.

Jennifer Gargano, assistant head of school for academic affairs, thanked US math teacher Misael Fisico, who coached Rangan and the other Harker math students who competed in the various Olympiads throughout the year. “Your work is very much appreciated,” she said.

Fisico led the team from his native Philippines at the CGMO. “Despite the fact that I was the leader of the Philippine group, the U.S. team and the Philippine team bonded together on several occasions,” he said.