Old Harbour Primary’s Marcus Reid tops National Math Olympiad

Indeed, the eight-year-old is a ‘math magician’ who goes around with a little book in which he sits and works out complicated equations in his spare time. Figuring things out, especially mathematics is what young Marcus does and recently he did it so well that he beat out an incredible field of 609 other grade four students across the island to win the National Math Olympiad for the grade four level. No small feat when one considers that these were not simple or even PEP level calculations but rather college level formulas that would give some grown folks gray hairs just trying to figure them out.

The National Math Olympiad is coordinated by the University of the West Indies’ Mathematics Department and tests student’s competence in mathematics. Reid, who hails from Old Harbour Primary School seemed a natural fit for his class teacher and grade four coordinator Anica Bailey who regards him as a little genius who soaks up knowledge like a sponge.

“At eight, he is the youngest child in my class. Normally at his age, he would be in grade three but he’s somewhat of a genius so he handles grade four works with ease. When I heard that he placed first, I felt good about it but I have to say it was a collective effort as he has an excellent math coach. I can’t stake claim to it but I accept it, laud and applaud him but he is at that stage where when I tell him something he sometimes looks at me and says ‘No miss that is not correct’,” Bailey tells Old Harbour News.

His teacher is not the only one who is thrilled about Marcus’s recent accomplishment. Proud mother, Mitzy Banton, said that when she got to the event at the university and saw his name at the top as the first-place winner, she nearly fell off her chair.

“I got the invitation to attend but I didn’t know anything until I got here and saw his name at the top at first place. I was excited and surprised as I didn’t know he would have done so well,” she said.

Banton explained that while Marcus is academically gifted, the day before the Olympiad exams, he found himself without the requisite study guide to be fully prepared for the task ahead.

“God has really blessed Marcus as the evening before the exam he didn’t have any practice paper and so I told him to go and read his Bible as God alone can help him and he did just that,” she added.

This isn’t a new frontier for Marcus. In fact its familiar territory, as he also a member of his school’s quiz team, which requires lots of study time and practice of different subjects. But Marcus doesn’t subscribe to any set schedule. Last year on the quiz team he specialized in language arts while this year he opted to concentrate on mathematics.

Banton, who resides in Longville Park on the Clarendon side of the St Catherine border, also shared that she does not put any labels or limitations on her son because she wants him to develop as organically as possible, even in this era of devices and the plethora of associated distractions.

“He is not allowed to watch television but he can watch the History Channel etc on YouTube. He also doesn’t watch cartoons. His first book was the Bible which helped him a lot with his work,” she shared, noting that while she is well aware of her son’s academic acumen she intends to limit his exposure to outside influences that could potentially be negative.

She added: “Yes he corrects me. Sometimes I read the Bible and ask him to pronounce certain words or spell them for me. Because I know he catches on quickly, I have to be careful of what he is exposed to. When he is watching something I ask him three questions: Does it help you spiritually? Does it help you academically and does it help your overall health and wellbeing?”

“Yes he is advanced academically but at heart, he is still an eight-year-old. So it is not just about books and entertainment, I am also careful of what he puts into his body so he is not allowed soda or sugary drinks or junk food. He gets straight water or natural juices. He also doesn’t consume dairy because of his asthma. When at school if he eats he’s not supposed to, he actually comes and tells me. He brings home almost all of his lunch money every day so I know he doesn’t spend it on junk. His savings account is healthier than mine right now!”

As Marcus puts it, being number one feels good, especially since he knows that the Olympiad was no walk in the park.

“I wasn’t even thinking I would come first. When I found out I wasn’t like excited; I was more surprised,” he said. “It was a very hard exam but I still passed it. The best thing about maths is it doesn’t work my brain as much as some of the subjects that you constantly have to read. I just have to figure it out even though it is more challenging.”

And his future career plans?

“Well I have about five options for when I grow up,” he reveals. “I’m either going to be a farmer, a doctor, a banker, CEO or a pastor. I credit Jesus as my role model because I read my Bible and I truly admire his good work.”