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Last Saturday morning, 135 students in grades 1-8 gathered at Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) for the 8th Annual Olifer Math Competition. While they mostly came from different schools around Gwinnett County, with a few from surrounding counties, they all had one thing in common: a love for math.

“The idea with the competition is to encourage kids who enjoy math to do more than regular problems and see that there are many opportunities out there for them,” said Dr. Ekaterina Nathanson, associate professor of mathematics in GGC’s School of Science and Technology. “The competition is challenging for all the students, so placing in each of their grade levels is tough. But the best part is it gives these students the chance to build camaraderie with others their age who also like math.”

This year there was a nearly-even mix of boys and girls participating, with 54% boys and 46% girls. Students in each grade took their tests in a classroom while their parents waited in other classrooms nearby.

For Buford resident Niyi Oladeji, whose son, Jaden, a second-grade student at Freeman’s Mill Elementary Schol in Lawrenceville, participating in the competition was a natural step. He placed third.

“He’s always been interested in math,” Oladeji said. “Even as a small child, he liked numbers and solving puzzles. He also likes coding. This competition is a good experience for him.”

The competition is named for Dr. Andrei Olifer, who founded and organized it in 2016. Olifer was an associate professor of mathematics at GGC. His wife, Svetlana, a physicist, tutored math in GGC’s Academic Enhancement Center. Sadly, Olifer passed away in 2019, and his wife died in 2021, but their legacy continues.

Several GGC instructors and professors volunteered for the event.

“I’ve been doing this since the beginning, and it’s one of my favorite things to do. I look forward to it every year,” said Marty Gerson, a GGC instructor of mathematics. “The tests are designed for the kids’ grade levels and include some additional challenging problems. You see a wide range of emotions from the kids.”

Some of those reactions, he said, range from very serious to smiling.

“We tell the kids that it’s okay not to solve every problem,” said Gerson. “We encourage them to keep up the good attitude through school and they can accomplish their goals.”

Jaok Min waited anxiously in the hallway while her daughter, Sophia Song, a second-grade student at Freeman’s Mill Elementary School, was taking her test. Although she didn’t place this year, she enjoyed the experience.

“This is our first time for the competition, and it’s very good,” she said. “This is a good experience for Sophia.”

For Sophia, who met her mother in the hallway after completing her test, the event was easily summed up in three words.

“I had fun,” she said with a smile.

View and download Olifer Math Competition gallery photos.