Successes of math whiz adding up

This Liberty High School student learned fractions by cutting up sandwiches.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LIBERTY -- Douglas Faires, veteran math professor at Youngstown State University, has some high praise for Aaron Pollack.
"He's the best high school [problem-solver] we've seen since the early 1980s," Faires said.
Aaron, a Liberty High School junior who participates in invitational math exams, will be attending a three-week summer program of the Math Association of America, held at the University of Nebraska.
Aaron, 17, said he will sharpen his problem-solving skills there this summer.
Six other students from across the country will be preparing at the same program to represent this country in the International Math Olympiad in Greece this year.
"Needless to say, I'm a big fan of his," commented Faires, who has taught at YSU for 35 years.
He likens Aaron to an athlete who has natural abilities and works to hone his skills.
To become involved in the summer program, Aaron had to score well in a series of competitions that included the American Math Contest -- he scored 25th out of 250,000 students -- and the American Invitational Math Exam.
Aaron is the son of David and Jane Pollack of Fifth Avenue Extension. His father is a math professor at YSU.
Getting his start
Aaron, a straight-A student, said he began studying math as a child. He and his father would slice up peanut butter and jelly sandwiches so he could learn his fractions.
By the eighth grade, Aaron became more serious about math.
"I've certainly gotten a lot better over the years," Aaron said, noting he takes college-level math courses at YSU in the afternoons for both high school and college credits.
Self-study is the best way to excel in math, Aaron said.
For the past two years, Aaron has attended five-week math camps in Colorado and Washington state to learn about topics not covered in high school. What Faires also appreciates about Aaron is that he's a disciplined student, in addition to being well-rounded.
Besides being a member of the National Honor Society, Aaron is a pitcher and outfielder on his school baseball team and a member of the cross-country team.
Aaron hasn't decided where he's going to attend college, but he knows he wants to study math and physics. Eventually, Aaron said, he wants to research math and physics problems.
yovich@vindy.com