The Municipal Elementary School (EMEF) Luís Fernando Mazzochi (Professor Nandi), once again, demonstrates its academic prominence. Like several other teaching units under the supervision of the Municipal Secretary of Education (SMED), this institution has cultivated a culture of striving for excellence for approximately eight years, encouraging its students to participate in competitions that test their knowledge. And the results are becoming visible, reflected in the medals won.
Located in the Parque das Rosas subdivision, in the Desvio Rizzo region, the school receives almost 530 students daily, from the 1st to the 9th grade of elementary school. One of these students is Davi Silva de Matos, who is in the 7th grade. Next Monday, he will be recognized in Florianópolis (SC) for his outstanding performance in the 17th edition of the Brazilian Mathematical Olympiad for Public Schools (OBMEP), which took place in 2022.
The gold medal that Davi won, with humility and discretion, represents the highest grade in his category in the entire municipality and places him among the 132 best competitors in all of Brazil, among more than 500 participants.
Vanessa Girelli Tonet Strehlow, pedagogical coordinator for the afternoon shift, points out that Davi’s success is not just a result of his great talent.
“David has always been an excellent student, not just in math, but in all areas of knowledge. He is dedicated, studies hard and is always reading. His family is also always present, accompanying him and encouraging him in his studies.”
“He already has an above-average natural aptitude and, even so, he was one of the most dedicated students during the preparatory activities for the Olympics. He always stayed overtime to study more”, adds Franciele, his “coach” for the 2023 edition.
Fátima Lumertz Silva de Matos, Davi’s mother, points out that her son has always been very diligent and that the family has great expectations for the future.
“We put a lot of effort into guiding him on this journey, so that he follows the values we believe in. We believe that this is just the beginning of many achievements, especially due to his effort and dedication in everything he does.”
Fátima and her husband, Adevaldo, will be in the front row during the awards ceremony in Santa Catarina, proudly applauding their eldest son.
Medals are the result of a culture of work and dedication
Lenara Brum Biazus, deputy director of the afternoon shift at EMEF Professor Nandi, points out that all student achievements are the result of collective effort and dedication. This is due to the preparation project developed by the school, which offers support to students who participate in academic competitions in various disciplines.
“Our goal is to make them leave here passionate about learning, each one shining in their own area of prominence”, explains Lenara.
“It is an immense pleasure and cause for celebration to reap the positive fruits of this performance”, says Vanessa Girelli Tonet Strehlow, pedagogical coordinator of the afternoon shift.
In addition to the gold medal won by Davi at this year’s OBMEP, in 2022, a Professor Nandi student received a bronze medal and four others received honorable mentions for their participation.
The school was also featured in the 2022 Geography Olympiad, with three silver medals and three bronze medals, all won by 9th grade students.
Davi, due to his achievement in the mathematics Olympiad, is now participating in the Junior Scientific Initiation Program (PIC), offered by the organization to OBMEP awarded students. This initiative aims to encourage students to get involved with mathematics, expanding their scientific knowledge and preparing them for future academic and professional careers. For participating in the program, Davi receives a monthly financial incentive provided by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). In other words, the doors of research are open for this student from the Caxias do Sul municipal network.
Students who won silver and bronze medals at OBMEP will also be honored at a regional awards ceremony, and the school will hold a post-ceremony celebration in Florianópolis to involve all students and faculty.
