Each year, beginning in 1992, the Mathematics Department of Wilmington Friends School has selected an Upper School student to receive the Gehret Mathematics Award. This year, the winner of the Gehret Mathematics Award is Ted Ganter, class of 2017!

The award is presented in memory of Amanda Spackman Gehret, Class of ’51. It recognizes a student who manifests outstanding mathematical achievement through the development of ability and commitment to the experience of the whole class.

Ganter has excelled in math throughout his high school career. John Roskovensky, his advisor and his math teacher this year, commented that he was “one of the top [math] students in the senior class, if not the top student”. But that’s not why he won the award; in all classes, but especially in the class of 2017, there are many people deserving of the Gehret Mathematics award. Ganter won the award not only due to his great talent at mathematics but also due to his exemplary leadership and problem-solving skills. Commenting on Ganter’s problem-solving skills, Roskovensky said: “He can look at a problem he’s never seen before and be able to formulate a solution.” These problem-solving skills proved helpful in the classroom throughout his high school math career. The factor that truly made Ganter shine in math was his leadership in the classroom and in other mathematical activities. When asked what makes him such a great leader, his advisor replied he is “a successful captain because he brings a sense of great skill to the team and a sense of partnership, leadership, confidence, and helpfulness”. Ganter has never acted supercilious about his talent; he only helped others find the same success that he had. Not only did Ganter excel in the classroom, but he also served as the team leader of Wilmington Friends for Moody’s math challenge, an out of school math competition. Ganter’s talent and leadership skills were a huge asset to his team.

Ganter showed the true spirit of the award by using his incredible math talents to help others achieve success whilst bettering his own knowledge throughout his year at Wilmington Friends School. He is not only extremely capable, but also helpful, resourceful, and very “easy to get along with”. Ganter has shown exemplary strengths throughout his math career and will go on to do great things in the future! Congratulations, Ted!