During Ski Break, our MIS Mathletes traveled to Vienna for the International Schools Mathematics Teachers Foundation (ISMTF) competition, achieving historic results. The maximum of six MIS students competed in the 9th and 10th grade tournament, as well as six students competed in the 11th & 12th grade competition. The event is split into an individual competition in the morning, a team competition in the afternoon, and a second day full of friendly math challenges that mix students up from their respective schools.
In a field of hundreds of participants, our 9th & 10th-grade team, comprised of Jiho P., Jiho K. and Eunkyu secured a first-place team victory and Jiho P. went on to achieve 1st place overall in the individual competition. Right beside him was his teammates Jiho K. in 3rd, Eunkyo in 6th, and Isaac in 11th. Grade 12 student Chloe also broke into the top ten, placing 10th in the Grade 11 & 12 competition. Coached by math teachers, Philip Kurbis, Natalia Petry, and Sheldon Collier, Ms. Petry noted that this level of success is "pretty impressive" given the high level of competition from schools traveling from all over Europe and as far as Moscow, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
A truly unique and special aspect of the MIS Mathlete program is the incredible diversity of our students, who bring mathematical perspectives from all over the world. This year, our 9th and 10th grade teams benefited significantly from techniques shared by students who recently joined us from Korea. These students are introducing international methodologies—such as specific shortcuts for complex algorithms—that provide our team with a distinct edge in high-pressure environments.
Jiho P., who won the individual competition overall, explained that his peers were fascinated by the different formulas he brought from his previous studies. When he introduced these new ways to approach problems, Jiho noted that his teammates were "shocked" to see how quickly certain results could be achieved. For example, he shared a specialized technique for generating Pythagorean triples from any odd number, a method that was "completely new" to the rest of the team and proved to be a major advantage during the competition.
Beyond the trophies, the students found the experience deeply rewarding. Isaac, a 9th grader competing in person for the first time, described the event as "fun" and "very humbling," noting the thrill of being in a room filled with brilliant peers. Eunkyu added that the best part was the opportunity to "compete with various students from various countries and schools," highlighting the social and global nature of the event. Even when challenges arose, the team spirit prevailed; Jiho P. mentioned how his teammates "helped me kind of fill in the gaps" when he missed a detail, demonstrating the power of collaboration.
Our Mathletes are already looking ahead and refining their strategies for the next competition. Jiho P. plans to deepen his understanding by proving every formula he learns to ensure it stays "with my brain," while Isaac intends to take on more "extension work" in math class. Jiho K. emphasized a renewed focus on algebra, which he calls the "basic calculation of all the problems.” By combining this rigorous preparation with the creative "lateral thinking" encouraged by their coaches, our Mathletes are well-positioned for continued success on the international stage.