Unique Yannick
Around the room, pencils clatter on the table as the International Math Olympiad comes to a close. In the days to come, mathletes all around the globe anxiously await the results from the competition. Senior Yannick Yao receives a perfect score, tying for first place in the hardest math contest in the world.
Math is one of Yao’s favorite subjects. In fact, he was first introduced to Phillips Exeter Academy at an Exeter Math Club competition. “I really liked the math problems that they wrote, so I figured that there was a good math community here, and I wanted to join,” Yao said. His love of math began at a young age. “I think [it started] in elementary school. I guess it just challenges me to learn a lot of new ideas and problem-solving skills.” As a co-head of Math Club, Yao enjoys that the club allows him to partake in a community that goes to competitions and solves problems together.
Senior and Math Club co-head Qi Qi said that she enjoys working with Yao because of his diligence as a leader. “I enjoy working with him on competition math problems, and I can generally count on him when I run into something that I can't solve,” she said. According to Qi, Yao uses his own time for “finding and preparing materials” for the club to practice with.
Echoing Qi’s sentiments, senior Vinjai Vale complemented Yao’s intellect. Since prep year, Vale has admired Yao’s “mathematical and analytical prowess” in Math Club. “He has proven himself, through victories at the Harvard-MIT Math Tournament and the International Math Olympiad, to be one of the best high-school mathematicians in the world,” Vale said. He praised Yao’s involvement with Math Club and his commitment to working with his fellow members. “It would be easy for someone of Yanick's caliber to work alone instead of allowing himself to be slowed down by others, but he takes great initiative in training the entire team, from the up-and-coming preps to the lowers and uppers who are already fairly mature mathematicians,” Vale said.
Senior Geyang Qin, a fellow mathlete, also admired Yao’s teaching in math club, emphasizing Yao’s dedication to the club members’ learning. Qin said, “[Yao] tutors students really well and clarify their confusions, thus helping the club members improve math and guiding us through a clear path.” According to Qin, Yao has had a positive influence on other students. Yao’s immense talent and enthusiasm for math encourages other gifted mathematicians, but it is his sparkling personality that continues to impress those closest to him. In addition to describing Yao as “one of the best co-heads [Math Club] has ever had,” Math Instructor Zuming Feng also said that Yao has “a great heart.”
Despite his advanced mathematical skill, Yao remains humble. “Yannick is literally among the top five high school mathematicians in the world—maybe even the best—but he is simultaneously one of the most down-to-earth people I know,” Vale said. Prep Ben Wright agreed, saying, “He’s not the type of person to brag, and he has a good sense of humor. He’s very approachable.” As a co-head of ESSO MathCounts and a head peer tutor, Yao shares his love of math with the greater Exeter community. “Instead of keeping his knowledge and experience to himself, he loves giving back, teaching and sharing his knowledge with others,” Vale said.
In addition to math, Yao is also passionate about physics and puzzles. As a co-head of Physics Club, he teaches Exonians about physics concepts on a weekly basis. In particular, Yao is in charge of preparing students for the contests such as F=ma and the USA Physics Olympiad. To prepare competitors, Yao teaches the entire AP Physics curriculum in a few short weeks. In Puzzle Club, Yao led his team in the annual MIT mystery hunt, a huge puzzle hunt event. “Solving puzzles are a really exciting experience,” Yao said. Yao also organizes puzzle hunts at PEA. Fellow Puzzle Club co-head Vinjai Vale recalled Yao’s mastery of developing difficult puzzles, remarking that preparing for the event had taken four months of meticulous planning and puzzle writing. “Last year he and I were among the organizers of the PEA Puzzle Hunt, and Yannick's puzzles were praised by many for their devilish ingenuity,” Vale said.
However modest and clever he may be, Yao does not compromise on his principles. Vale recalled Yao’s peaceful demonstration against Abbot Casino. Both student and faculty organizers barred Yao from entering the event due to his non-formal attire. “He is not afraid to stand up for what he thinks is right,” Vale said. Senior Alec Sun agreed with Vale’s characterization of Yao, noting the essay that Yao posted on Facebook after his protest. According to Sun, the post was well-received. Sun agreed with the sentiment behind Yao’s demonstration: “You should not have to wear formal clothes to Abbot Casino, and you are not more intelligent if you wear formal clothes.” Despite his serious position on social issues, Yao is a remarkably joyful person. Feng remembered the unique way that Yao celebrated a math contest: “When he was a prep, he placed 2nd in the individual round at American Regions Math League. He was so happy. We competed in a big gym at Penn State. He ran to podium from our seating place with his arms open like [he was] an airplane.”