William Ballanco, a Sunset native who is currently a senior at Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts in Natchitoches, will host two public presentations of his Distinction Project, “Excursion into Prime and Perfect Numbers: Odd Perfect Numbers and the Relation between Mersenne Primes and Perfect Numbers,”during the school’s annual Blue & Gold Week, Apr. 7-12. Ballanco’s presentations will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Apr. 10 in the Center for Performance & Technology Recital Hall and at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Apr. 12 in the Center for Performance & Technology Room 231. See a map of campus and driving directions here.
“Blue & Gold Week showcases our students not only as ‘smart kids,’ but as researchers, thinkers, and innovators,” said Dr. Jason Anderson, Director of Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer. “Blue & Gold Week highlights our students who will be graduating with distinction, completing extensive research projects and portfolios that they have been working on since their junior year.”
According to a project summary, Ballanco’s research “covers topics such as testing whether a number in the trillions is prime or not, the number of prime numbers less than a number, and the average gap between consecutive primes. It also introduces Mersenne Primes, which are consistently the largest prime numbers we know.” Ballanco’s faculty mentor at LSMSA was Dr. Olaseni Fadipe, Associate Lecturer of Mathematics.
Ballanco is one of only seven LSMSA seniors who will earn the highest academic honor given by LSMSA upon successful completion of their projects. All Blue & Gold Week presentations are open to the public. There is no cost to attend. Members of the Class of ’25 who will present during Blue & Gold Week ‘25 are: William Ballanco, of Sunset; Lily Buckles, of Lake Charles; Kayleigh Dewberry, of Gibsland; Marlie Harris, of Berwick; Jude Kannankeril, of Marrero; Esha Patel, of Alexandria; and Claudia Varnado, of Zachary.
Graduation with Distinction is awarded to students who complete a rigorous program of independent academic study or artistic endeavor beyond the formal course requirements of LSMSA. Eligibility is based on an individual’s academic performance in the junior year as well as on their capacity for independent work. Students who choose to pursue distinction projects at LSMSA typically work closely with faculty mentors on reading, research, and creative exploration. All seniors who complete distinction projects are required to provide two public presentations of their work in front of attending faculty, students, and guests.
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LSMSA is a tuition-free, public high school for high-achieving sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a nominal room and board fee to cover housing, meals, and campus activities. The LSMSA Foundation offers assistance for families so that no eligible student is denied the school’s 42-year legacy of a college-level living/learning experience. For more information about LSMSA, or to apply for the upcoming academic school year, visit www.LSMSA.edu.
| Chris Jay, MACoordinator of External Affairs Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts715 University Parkway, Natchitoches, LA 71457Office 318.357.2552 | Fax 318.357.3189 | HSB120cjay@lsmsa.edu | LSMSA.edu | Give to LSMSA |
