<p>Thats crazy. Lol. I always wondered if these "discoveries" are really what they seem to be. I may be really off coure here, but is he really THAT smart? I could kick his butt, which makes me the alpha male :)</p>
<p>Well, these discoveries are pretty big. Very few of the national finalists aren't getting published or haven't been published already in major journals in their fields.</p>
<p>And I heard this one kid had this especially amazing project about finding a way to estimate the age of a star...or something like that...I think he got 3rd place...they say he's really really funny and good-looking too...:P</p>
<p>And yeah, Michael is an effing genius. He could whoop you ;)</p>
<p>ooooh, a smart guy that is hot and humorous!!! Sounds like my kind of guy.</p>
<p>two years ago the top winner went to the brown plme</p>
<p>i actually met last year's winner. he is roommates with one of my friends and he is in my math class. he is pretty weird guy, likes to take things apart, fix them, add something to them, then put them back together. i was impressed.</p>
<p>Actually, I'm the 3rd place winner, but thanks for the lovely comments everyone :)</p>
<p>PS What articles have pictures of me anyway?? All the press (and hence pictures) went to the top winner, except in local papers...</p>
<p>oh, i get it now. You were kidding. Wow, do i feel stupid.</p>
<p>haha it's quite alright. Glad to know I'm not quite as hot as I think I am ;)</p>
<p>MY FRIEND WON FIRST IN THE TEAM NATIONAL SIEMENS WESTINGHOUSE COMPETITION</p>
<p>yeah he's in my math class...albert shieh...from arizona. he's so famous now..with his program being patented and used all around the world with his 100k scholarship (shared with his team mate) </p>
<p>btw, his safety school is MIT</p>
<p>good luck harvard applicants (i'm from the cornell board)</p>
<p>hehehe--Alright DHL, I forgive you :) But hey, Michael's my friend, so let's keep it down, alright? ;) lol</p>
<p>DHA...Whatever :p</p>
<p>Mr. Viscardi qualified for the USAMO's in EIGHTH GRADE! So this year, he is only a junior? He puts me to shame...</p>
<p>Well, I'm not quite sure what he is, technically, as he's home-schooled, but he is applying to Harvard this year and applied to Siemens Westinghouse this year (where the individuals must all be seniors), so even though I think he's 16, he's pretty much a senior ;)</p>
<p>Thats crazy though. I mean like even with brilliance, the home school really helped him. His parents and tutors probably were prepping him since he was young and educated him in all the AP subject we are taking ever since like the age he would be in middle school. Since he is bright, he was able to get that out of the way and soley concentrate on his mathematical research for the last four years. </p>
<p>To some degrees home schooling is an advantage. You learn the same material at your own pace (more accelerated than regular school of course) and dont have to deal with meaningless busy work/hw and can concentrate on the material you'd like. You master it, and don't have deal with the bureaucracy that follows regular school</p>
<p>well in michael's case...I think he is born a genius. He is also truly passionate about math and one of the nicest people. I wouldn't be surprised if he wins the Nobel Prize or Fields Medal in the future</p>
<p>the real question is... does he have a social life? </p>
<p>sorry, ignore that, im just jealous ;)</p>
<p>I was actually thinking the same thing crimson. Does this kid ever just hang out with friends?</p>
<p>But, i am also jealous.</p>
<p>I am scared that even though I am double his size and probably stronger, faster, etc. that he would kick my butt. Its like I would rush him, and he would throw math at me and I would die :(</p>
<p>I think i would feel stupid if i ever chatted with him.</p>
<p>I bet you he cant analyze Joyce to save his life! :) Thats what I always noted about these types of guys. They are incredibly intelligent in math/science but they do horridly in the humanities. Except for this one asian kid I met this summer, I got him into reading the Economist! Lol. Did you guys know Italy is broke? lol ok that wasnt funny...its sad</p>