Two East Rockaway students named Long Island Math Scholars

Students Sarina Gonzalez and Joseph McGeary of East Rockaway Junior/Senior High School have been named Long Island Young Scholars of Mathematics by the Institute of Creative Problem Solving for Gifted and Talented Students at SUNY Old Westbury. The “dynamic duo” is among 75 student honorees, who are in the top 0.1 percent of math students in grades 5-10.

Both Gonzales and McGeary, 12-year-old seventh grade students, take math enrichment classes every Saturday at the institute. Scholars are determined based on an exam in May that both students earned a “winning” score.

“It is awesome to be named a math scholar,” Gonzales said. “I did not think I would get it and I am amazed I got in.”

McGeary recognizes the importance of this honor. “At first, I though it was maybe not that important,” he said, “but I found it was. I like to play sports and the honor did not interfere with that, which I was really happy.”

Their math teacher, Leslie Klein is very proud of both students, who are in the school’s accelerated math program. “They are well deserving, doing well, and great role models,” Klein said.

And their principal, William Fortgang, is very excited for the youngsters. “We are proud of their accomplishments at East Rockaway High School,” Forgang said. “They are benefitting greatly from attending a very challenging program on Saturdays. We sure hope they are going to continue to be very successful in the program.”