Akamai Foundation To Award Country's Top High School Math Students With $45,000 In College Scholarships

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Akamai Foundation today announced that it will award three high school math students with scholarships for their placement in the recent U.S.A. Mathematical Olympiad. An awards ceremony for the forty-fifth USAMO winners will be held today, June 6th, in Washington D.C.

The Akamai Foundation, established in 2000 and funded solely through donations from Akamai (NASDAQ: AKAM) employees and individuals outside the company, promotes the pursuit of excellence in mathematics in grades K-12 to encourage America's next generation of technology innovators. 

The Akamai Foundation will present Akamai Scholarships to the top three winners of this year's competition, the most prestigious math competition in the country for high school students. These top three scorers are among the country's most talented mathematicians: 

Allen Liu, of Penfield High School in Penfield, NY, took first place and will be awarded an Akamai Scholarship in the amount of $20,000.

Junyao Peng, of Princeton International School of Mathematics and Science in Princeton, NJ, took second place and will be awarded an Akamai Scholarship of $15,000.

Kevin Ren, of Torrey Pines High School in San Diego, CA, took third place and will be awarded an Akamai Scholarship in the amount of $10,000.

The USAMO provides a means of identifying and encouraging the most creative mathematics students in the country with a six-question, nine-hour essay/proof examination conducted over two days. It serves to indicate the talent of those who may become leaders in the mathematical sciences of the next generation. The USAMO is part of a worldwide system of national mathematics competitions, a movement in which both educators and research mathematicians are engaged in recognizing and celebrating the imagination and resourcefulness of our youth.

"Innovation through math and math education have always been, and continue to be, at the heart of Akamai's mission," said Dr. Tom Leighton, CEO and co-founder, Akamai. "We congratulate this year's winners. The Akamai Foundation is committed to helping promote mathematics education and to encouraging and inspiring the next generation of technology innovators and leaders." 

"Students who qualify for the USAMO represent the highest level of mathematical achievement, and we are pleased to honor the top-scoring students," said Michael Pearson, Executive Director of MAA. "MAA's American Mathematics Competitions program is dedicated to strengthening the mathematical capabilities of our nation's youth. Identifying, recognizing, and rewarding excellence in mathematics is an important effort to advance mathematics that benefits our nation's future. We appreciate the Akamai Foundation's continued support of this important program."

About the MAAThe Mathematical Association of America is the world's largest community of mathematicians, students, and enthusiasts. We accelerate the understanding of our world through mathematics. Mathematics drives society and shapes our lives.

About the Akamai FoundationThe Akamai Foundation was established in 2000 and is funded solely by Akamai executives, its employees and individuals outside the company. The Akamai Foundation is dedicated to excellence in mathematics, with the aim of promoting math's importance and encouraging America's next generation of technology innovators. 

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SOURCE Akamai Technologies, Inc.