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National Finalists 2007 Profiles
Year of birth: 1991
Music and maths play a large part in Daren Tan's life. He has previously entered several maths competitions. He received the music prize in primary school, achieved a gold medallion for excellence in the UNSW science competition, and was placed second in WA Australian Mathematics Olympiad. He has also been involved in the school's Australian Mathematics Trust Gauss, Noether, and Polya courses, and their robotics club. His interests include classical guitar, robotics (robocup junior), piano, computer games and badminton. Throughout years 8 and 9, Daren was a member of the West Australian Youth Guitar ensemble Guitarstrophe! (www.guitarstrophe.com), and performed with them at the Darwin International Guitar festival.
Aus-NZ National Brain Bee 2007 - Third Place
George Shand knows plenty about playing team games. His interests include soccer, rugby, tennis and American football (he captains both the soccer and tennis teams). His next sporting goal is to achieve a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. When it comes to academic pursuits, George has a more singular path in mind. "My current aspirations are focused on following a medical career, as I will hopefully go to either Auckland or Melbourne University and study medicine," he says.
Year of birth: 1991
James Bennett likes a challenge. He has entered a string of competitions over the past few years, getting involved with music, public speaking, writing and mathematics. Although born in Brisbane, James lived most of his primary school years at Bribie Island, on Queensland's famous Sunshine Coast. He won several high-achievement awards at primary school, ultimately finishing as Dux. Now attending St Paul's School, near Brisbane, James still leads a hectic life playing rugby union, soccer, and saxophone (in three different bands). When he has time to spare, he will also admit to enjoying reading, playing games, and fishing. "As far as a career is concerned, I'm still undecided as to what exactly I'd like to do, apart from something science or maths based," James says. "I have considered marine biology, dentistry, surgery, neurology, chemical engineering and many more as potential fields, but none has yet to leap out as the way to go." He says his two work-experience placements thus far - one with a chemical engineer at a cardboard manufacturer and the other in a neuroscience laboratory at the University of Queensland - have both been very enjoyable. Overall, he says participating in the ABBC has been a "great challenge and a privilege". "I am also keen to extend my social and professional ties during the competition," James says.
Aus-NZ National Brain Bee 2007 Second Place
William Zhang grew up with his parents and younger brother in Auckland. Last year, he received a ‘top in the world' award for IGCSE Maths and Science. According to William, his business subject is arguably the most interesting and relevant to life outside of school. But he also enjoys doing experiments in chemistry. "As for my future career, I don't really know yet but I'm hoping to do business management, property development or medicine," he says. He plays violin in his school's symphony orchestra, and also plays guitar and keyboard outside of school. His other interests include astronomy and web design. Since intermediate school, he has competed in the TVNZ Schools Web-challenge, which is a web design competition. In the past two years, he has finished in the New Zealand ‘top 12'. William represents his school in tennis, mostly in the summer. When there's time, he also likes orienteering and distance running. "I like orienteering better because it's a nice cross between thinking, planning skills, and endurance running," William says. "It's good for your fitness as well as your brain!"
Year of birth: 1991
Dilshan Seneviratna came to Australia when he was nine months old. Dilshan says although he doesn't really have a favourite subject, he admits that after studying for the Brain Bee he now wishes he was doing biology. A representative-level basketball player, Dilshan also enjoys playing the drums and guitar, as well as doing hip-hop dancing. He is completing his silver Duke of Edinburgh's Award this year. While he hasn't participated in any other major competitions recently, he has just completed two weeks at the Harry Messel International Science School, where science students from around the world participate in various activities while staying at Sydney University. An experience he modestly describes as ‘pretty interesting'. But Dilshan is a little concerned that his recent science school training has left him unprepared for the challenge of the Brain Bee. "I didn't have very much time to study for the Brain Bee at all," he says. "My holidays are all filled up!" While he has no firm career aspirations at the moment, he finds neuroscience is becoming more and more appealing as he starts to realise how interesting it can be.
Aus-NZ National Brain Bee 2007 Champion
Quinn McGennisken is 16 years old and was born in the Gippsland town of Traralgon, Victoria. Quinn attends Lavalla College, where her subjects include Biology, Health and Human Development, and Mathematics. While she loves reading and writing, English has been her favourite subject so far, closely followed by psychology, which she is studying in year 12 this year. But she doesn't always have her head in a text book, she reminds us. "I don't mind a bit of sport either!" Quinn says. "I'm a keen volleyballer and I represented Victoria at the nationals a few years ago." "However, since my ‘very' early retirement from the sport, I am currently training to participate and complete (hopefully!) my first Melbourne Marathon in October." She looks forward to the satisfaction and sense of achievement she will get from helping to raise much-needed money for Cerebral Palsy research. Quinn has already won a number of state-wide writing competitions, an achievement which was beginning to fuel an ambition to become an author. However her recent experiences, combined with input and encouragement from friends and teachers, mean she now hopes to pursue a career in mental health and brain research. "That's why I'm here ... taking up the Brain Bee Challenge!" she says.
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