“He is our pride,” says Krystyna Bojko, principal of Municipal School Complex No. 1 in Bolesławiec. “Mateusz is gifted in many areas. We discovered his abilities very early, when he was in the first grade of primary school,” she adds. Even then, Mateusz Popek began to display artistic talents. He took part in various festivals, recitation competitions and school assemblies.

In the fourth grade of primary school, the boy became interested in mathematics. Under the guidance of his teacher, Iwona Wiatrowska, he made enormous progress in this field. “Every year, he was a winner of the mathematics competition,” the principal says.

Today, Mateusz Popek attends the third grade of Municipal Middle School No. 4 and has achieved a string of successes. Perhaps the most important is being among the winners of the seventh edition of the prestigious “zDolny Ślązak Gimnazjalista” history competition. “I didn’t expect it,” Mateusz modestly admits.

It is worth adding that the young resident of Bolesławiec also qualified for the finals of “zDolny Ślązak” in biology, geography, chemistry and Polish. “Since the beginning of January, Mateusz travelled to Wrocław every week to take part in another competition,” says Krystyna Bojko. It was worth it. The boy is exempt from the humanities section of the middle-school examination.

The principal speaks about her student in glowing terms: “Mateusz is ambitious, very conscientious and hardworking. He knows what he wants.” In her opinion, this is primarily thanks to the boy’s family home. “He is also very popular at school, which is rare in the case of people who stand out so much,” she adds.

Interests

“I am particularly interested in mathematics and physics,” says Mateusz Popek. He denies spending a great deal of time with books. “Studying does not take up too much of my time because I learn a lot during lessons. I remember a great deal of the material and do not have to revise it later at home,” he admits. What is more, the middle-school student still finds time to develop his artistic talents. He plays the guitar and sings.

Plans

Mateusz is facing a choice of a new school. This all-rounder is considering I LO (the mathematics and physics class) and XIV High School in Wrocław. The name of the latter school, a Wrocław forge of talent, is mentioned for a reason. The institution cooperates with Bank Gospodarki Żywnościowej, which funds scholarships for exceptionally gifted students. “We very much hope that Mateusz will qualify for this programme,” says Krystyna Bojko. – “He is very responsible and independent. There is no fear that he will not manage there.”

In the future, the resident of Bolesławiec would like to begin studying at a university of technology. He is considering technical physics or financial and insurance mathematics. He does not want to leave Poland. He hopes that the situation in the country will improve significantly over the next 10 years.

Whatever path Mateusz chooses, he will certainly rise to the challenge. The principal of MZS No. 1 has no doubt about it. “He could become a scientist. He would be an excellent scientist. He is a very inquisitive person,” says Krystyna Bojko and adds: “But he could also become a wonderful engineer.”

(GA report)