UPPER DARBY, PA–Eighth-grader James O'Shea showed incredible dedication, outperforming his peers across the nation to claim the title of #1 Player in the First In Math® Online Program for the 2009-2010 school year! O'Shea was runner-up last year, and this is his third appearance in the National Top Ten.
Left to right: Sister Helen Thomas McCann, Principal of St. Laurence; James O’Shea; Ann Char and Robert Sun.
O'Shea, who attends K-8 St. Laurence School in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, built a considerable cushion and led the field for several months, amassing 42,000 stickers as of the April 30 First In Math "Top Ten" competition deadline. "I was very determined to win and excited to start playing at the beginning of the year," says O'Shea. "I am going to miss not playing First in Math next year."
Early on, teachers recognized that O'Shea was a special student. "I got to know him when he became involved in our '24' club and represented St. Laurence at several county and regional 24 Challenge® tournaments," remembers First In Math Coordinator Ann Char. "The First in Math program followed, and from the beginning James set goals for himself. In 6th grade he was ranked 3rd in the nation; in 7th grade, he was 2nd and he was determined to land on top during his last year at St. Laurence."
According to Char, O'Shea excels at most everything he tries. "James is self-motivated, inquisitive, and determined. President of our student council, he gives of his time and talents to service projects and sets an example for our students by his behavior in and out of the classroom. I can honestly say that James is the finest student I have met in more than 30 years in education, and I know that he will continue to excel in high school and beyond. We will miss him!"
O'Shea will be attending Devon Preparotory School in the fall. When First In Math program creator Robert Sun asked him which colleges he might be interested in, O’Shea responded that he hopes to attend Princeton.
St. Laurence School is ranked #5 in the nation, All Grades, with 14 teams averaging more than 81,000 stickers each. In addition, teams "mayan37pa" and "heat10pa" ranked 9th and 10th respectively in the Top Ten Teams All Grades category. Throughout the competition, Principal Sister Helen Thomas McCann regularly encouraged the teams and students over the loudpseaker, and gave updates on their progress.
As the Number One Player in the Nation, O'Shea will receive the Grand Prize—an Apple® iTouch®. His nearest competitor, Valentino Papa, from Masterman MS/HS School in the School District of Philadelphia, earned 37,682 stickers, while the third place finisher from Asa Packer ES in the Bethlehem School District earned 37,138. Students from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Texas and California make up the Top Ten, and all will receive a 2009-2010 FIM National All Star Award.