Berks' Best 2025 mathematics winner: Jasper Platt intrigued by the theoretical side of math
They love the structure of it, the consistency of it. They love the formulas, that one plus one will always equal two.
For Jasper Platt, however, there's something else about math that really intrigues him.
'I want to understand the why,' the Wyomissing High School senior said.
Platt has been interested in math for as long as he can remember. And while he was initially drawn to the subject for the typical reasons, as he learned more about it his focus evolved.
'For me, it's more about the theoretical aspect of it,' he explained. 'It's not, 'Oh, I love solving problems.' It's about how, for a lot of it, it acts more like a system that can be understood holistically.'
That perspective, that dedication to seeking a deeper understanding of the topic, has earned Platt the recognition as the winner of the 2025 Berks' Best mathematics award.
'I feel very honored,' Platt said. 'I try not to evaluate myself based upon achievement, but I feel very honored to receive the award.'
Meghan Tierney, the mathematics department chair at Wyomissing, said Platt is well-deserving of the award.
'In my years as an educator, I have rarely encountered a student with Jasper's combination of raw talent, passion and determination in mathematics,' she said in a letter supporting his nomination. 'His academic record, extracurricular achievements, and self-driven learning make him an ideal candidate for this recognition.'
Platt said his math journey started at a young age. He recalled being in fourth grade in upstate New York and spending time at the home of a friend whose dad was a college math professor.
Both the friend, who was doing trigonometry as a fourth grader, and the dad helped foster Platt's burgeoning interest in math.
'He definitely inspired me and helped me be able to see it as something that's interesting,' he said of his friend. 'And if I was working on homework at his house, his dad would help explain it to me and help me see there's definitely more to it.'
Platt's interest in the theoretical side of math has also translated into another area. An avid reader of philosophy, he is fascinated by the proof-based subject of analytical philosophy.
He plans to study both topics when he heads off to the University of Pennsylvania in the fall. The school actually has a logic major that combines math and philosophy.
As for a career plan, Platt said he's still working on that.
'I'm kind of just going to mess around with a few things,' he said.
Along with mathematics, Platt also has a variety of other interests. He plays lacrosse, took part in Model U.N., was involved in Wyomissing's drama department, is a member of the Quiz Bowl team, took part in MiniTHON, is a docent at Penn Museum and enjoys hiking.
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