Gopal Nataraj has been selected as the winner of the 2008 Annalee Henderson Award for Outstanding Senior Achievement in Mathematics Award. Gopal is a senior at Emmaus High School in Emmaus, PA. He was nominated by Emmaus High School teacher Todd Burkhardt.

Gopal ‘s high school career has included advanced and college placement courses in Mathematics and Science. His performance in all subject areas has been exemplary. He has participated in numerous Mathematics competitions and competitions such as Math Count, the Muhlenberg College High School Mathematics Invitational, the Pennsylvania Math League, the American Regional Mathematics League, Math 24 Competition, the American Computer Science League to name just a few.

This talented senior was accepted for two Governor’s School experiences. He chose to attend the Pennsylvania Governor’s School of Excellence for the Sciences at Carnegie-Mellon University Summer 2007 session. His abilities were evident and his instructor, Adnan Bashir wrote, “He was one of the few students able to move away from just one focus of strength as he excelled in more than just the sciences typically associated with engineering. Although he decided to strengthen his aspirations to solidify his interests in the field of his interest by participating and actively taking leadership responsibilities through the Wilberforce Pendulum Physics Team Project (of which he was a co-captain), he also diversified his academic interests, merging the Microbiology/Biophysics  intensive laboratory (led by Harvard University graduate and former professor Christopher W. Borysenko), and electives in astrophysics and laser technology on top of his five core classes in biochemistry, organic chemistry, computer science, relativity, and discrete math. Such ability to balance the toughest concepts in such varied scientific fields highlight Gopal’s great ability and interest.”

In addition to his academic endeavors, Gopal has been active in musical productions since he was a young child. He has had several lead singing parts in his high school’s musicals and has won several musical competitions. He has been active in extra-curricular activities, with membership in Key Club International, a community service organization, Future Business Leaders of America, Bal Vahir an Indian cultural school, National Honors Society, and the Table Tennis Club.

Nominations are being accepted NOW for the next Annalee Henderson Award; nominations are due by February 1, 2009.

PCTM honors excellent teaching professionals and students yearly. If you know someone who you believe qualifies for one of these awards, you may submit their information to the Awards committee.