Whiz Kid: Brian Riedel

Whiz Kid: Brian Riedel

Whiz Kids Age: 15

Whiz Kid’s School: Pelham Memorial High School

Whiz Kid’s Accomplishments:

Brian Riedel, a PMHS sophomore, has participated in the school’s math team since he was in seventh grade.  These days, Brian and his teammates are taking high honors all around Westchester County and New York State.

Brian and his teammates compete in the Westchester Interscholastic Math League. This league holds regular contests among competitive schools and Brian was tied for top scorer in the league. He led the top Westchester team entered in the New York State Mathematics League competition early this April.

Brian has also qualified for the selective American Mathematics Competition for the past two years. He has consistently excelled and posted scores in the top 2.5 percent of the students who take the exam and was the top scorer in Pelham. For his accomplishments on the American Mathematics Competition exam, Brian qualified for the American Invitational Mathematics Exam, which is the next level in assessments.

Whiz Kid’s Key to Awesomeness:

According to Brian, none of the problems require any knowledge beyond pre-calculus. While the problems that Brian solves for Math League do not always involve the most advanced math, they do require a different sort of thinking. The problems that Brian encounters require him to think outside the box.

“Sometimes, you have to apply something in a different way or you have to figure out precisely what trick you need,” Brian said.

Brian’s favorite part of being involved with the Math league is being part of the team and the thrill of the competition. He also recognizes this experience as a valuable asset for his future, especially with regard to college.

In addition to his endeavors with the PMHS math team, Brian is a runner, kick boxer, and recently has been keeping busy with applications to competitive summer mathematics programs.