The ongoing health crisis accelerated the adaptation of online technology with the Department of Education finding ways to shift from face-to-face learning and moving forward to digital and distance/blended learning approaches. And while children are spending most of their days glued to their mobile screens, this doesn’t mean that they aren’t thriving. In fact, 11-year-old Aaron Antonio — a child whiz and seasoned academic competitor from DLSU Integrated School — proves that with a love for learning, one can reach greater heights even during the lockdowns.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, academic competitions have transitioned from face-to-face to online. Aaron has joined over 50 of these competitions, both here and abroad. While he misses the direct, in-person interactions, Aaron sees the silver lining of the current situation as he’s been able to compete in more competitions now. All the 50 he’s joined recently were hosted online by participating countries all over the world, including the United States, Bulgaria, Indonesia, China, India, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Malaysia.

Among his most prestigious Science awards include the DOST Youth Excellence in Science award, the Vanda Science Gold (which he won twice!), and the International Math and Science Olympiad (IMSO)-Science category, wherein he secured silver.

In addition, Aaron excels in Mathematics, having won silver medals at the Math Without Borders (MWB) Competitions, the International Kangaroo Mathematics Competition (IKMC), the Philippine International Mathematical Olympiad Silver, the Copernicus Mathematical Olympiad, Philippine International Math and Science Olympics (PIMSO), Vedic National Challenge, and Fermat Math Olympiad. It’s an incredible feat for someone so young.

But Aaron’s talents extend to other subject matters, too, including English. He won gold at the national round of the Eurasian Spelling Bee and is part of the Philippine team that will compete in the final round in Gdansk, Poland this year.

In 2020, the Philippines joined the Dr. CT Design Thinking with Computational Thinking and Robotics Competition for the first time. After a highly intense tournament, Aaron proudly secured a silver medal for the Philippines, placing him no. 1 in the country in his category and ninth globally.

As an exceptional young man, Aaron has mastered the art of balance, too, pursuing academic excellence, while never forgetting the value of true learning. Apart from being a child champion, he’s an active student leader and a well-rounded athlete. (He’s part of the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines and competes regionally before the pandemic.)

“I enjoy new challenges and exploring new interests. If I like something, I pursue it. And the competitions — aside from being great opportunities to learn, travel, and compete— they allow me to meet other young kids who share the same interests that I do, which I love,” he says. “I’d like to thank my family and teachers for all their support, and I hope to inspire other kids. Beyond the medals and recognition, we can all excel, especially if we continue to nurture our love for learning so that one day, we may be able to contribute to the world through our knowledge and experience.”

Indeed, by Aaron’s clear example, parents can be reassured that time spent online can be beneficial. By embracing the digital and adopting the different modes of learning, kids can still grow their curiosity and sense of healthy competition, leading to more meaningful learning and success outside of the classroom.