Five outstanding students from Sarrat National High School (SNHS) in Ilocos Norte bagged three gold and two silver awards in the World International Mathematical Olympiad (WIMO) held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Jan. 5 to 8.

“Mathletes of SNHS have emerged victorious at the WIMO, the battle of all gold medalists. They were gold awardees in the final rounds of the three international math Olympiads, which qualified them to the WIMO,” Michael Malvar, head coach of the Ilocos Norte delegation, told the Philippine News Agency Monday.

Eighth-grader Brian Jansen Vallejo led the winners after he was awarded world champion for garnering the highest score in the secondary 1 level.

The other gold medalists were 8th grader Allen Iver Barroga (Secondary 1) and 9th grader Zyrene Angelica Dulluog (Secondary 2).

Natalie Margaret Balisacan (Secondary 1; Grade 8) and Ma. Cassandra Reich Duque (Grade 11) took home silver awards.

WIMO participation is strictly by invitation to the gold medalists in the final rounds of three international competitions — Hong Kong International Mathematical Olympiad, Thailand International Mathematical Olympiad, and Guangdong Greater Bay Area (Big Bay Bei) Mathematical Olympiad.

A total of 243 gold medalists out of more than 40,000 competitors from 12 countries qualified for the WIMO.

Provincial board member Saul Paulo Lazo, chairperson of the committee on education, has requested the Ilocos Norte Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Council), during its regular session on Monday, for a commendation be given to the awardees for bringing pride and honor to the province. (PNA)