Miami Springs Senior High School student Pablo Hernandez took center stage last weekend as one of the top 10 in the nation at the math competition Who Wants to Be a Mathematician.

    Every year the American Mathematical Society hosts the national contest in Boston.  High school students from across the country compete for nearly $30,000 in cash and prizes by answering multiple-choice mathematics questions.

    Last September Pablo took an online national exam that qualified him for being one of the 10 finalists in this unique competition.

    Hernandez, 16, currently is a junior at MSSH. He attended Miami Springs Middle School and Springview Elementary. Hernandez went to the competition not only representing his school, but his family and his community.

    Hernandez’s exciting journey began on Wednesday when he traveled to Boston accompanied by his older sister, Jazmin Hernandez.

    “When our parents hugged us and kissed us goodbye at Miami International Airport, I knew that I would have to be the support on behalf of our entire family for my brother,” said Jazmin. “Our parents, our grandmother, our aunts and uncles and all of our cousins would have loved to have been there, but because of their jobs, and school, they couldn’t go.

    “For me, it was a blessing. I was on my winter break from FIU and I was in charge of supporting and encouraging my little brother, Pablito.” 

    Hernandez attributed his success to the great teachers he’s had over the years and to his supportive family.

    Hernandez finished the competition in fourth place. He represented his school and the Miami Springs community extremely well, to say the least.

    "Pablo is one of the most dedicated, mature and responsible students I've ever had the pleasure of teaching,” said Sam Koski, Pablo’s math teacher and the sponsor of the Miami Springs Senior High match club, Mu Alpha Theta.

    “Pablo began working with the math club while he was still in middle school, and I knew then that he was going to be one of the best leaders this club has ever had.”

    In between solving math problems at the competition, Pablo was given the opportunity to say a few words. He was quick to share that Koski is his favorite mathematician and has been a great influence in his life.

    “We have an early bird class every morning at my school starting at 6:20. This is essentially where we do all of our training for the competitions that we have throughout the year. It’s hectic, it’s crazy, but I love doing it,” said Hernandez, who returned from Boston Friday night to news cameras and interviews.

    Hernandez is the captain of the school’s statistics team and is the treasurer of the math club. He hopes to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology after high school.

    One of the things that made is trip to Boston extra special was that he was able to tour the MIT campus.

    “I could honestly tell you that he was so ecstatic to be there, his face was beaming the entire time,” Jazmin said. “He seemed to fit right in.  I could picture him living there in the upcoming years. I am so proud of my little brother for not only making it this far and for being the only student from Florida, but for being the only Hispanic student as well.

    “I am extremely glad that I had the opportunity to accompany my brother on this math competition and be his support. Together we shared every moment of this unforgettable trip. We lived experiences that both of us will keep forever.”