Young Guanajuatense does great at Informatics Olympiad

A student from San Luis de la Paz represented Mexico in the European Girls’ Olympiad in Informatics 2024

Yareli Guadalupe Padron Rivera shone internationally for her talent and computer skills

San Luis de la Paz/Gto News

Yareli Guadalupe Padron Rivera, student of the College of Scientific and Technological Studies in the State, CECyTE, Guanajuato, campus San Luis de la Paz, traveled to Veldhoven, Netherlands to represent Mexico in the European Girls’ Olympiad in Informatics, EGOI (European Women’s Olympiad in Informatics), from July 21 to 27, 2024.

Yareli Guadalupe, while still a junior high school student at the Instituto La Paz, managed to qualify for this prestigious international competition which promotes women’s interest in computer sciences. 

Each participating country can send 4 competitors under 20 years of age and 2 coaches.  196 representatives from more than 45 countries attended the 2024 edition.

The 15-year-old student is characterized by her talent in programming and creative problem solving. She currently works with the C++ programming language, where she has the possibility of carrying out high-level, high-performance structured programming.

These exceptional abilities of Yareli are complemented by her most outstanding virtues; perseverance, optimism, intelligence, humility, discipline and dedication.

In the Netherlands, the Olympiad consisted of 2 exams where participants solved algorithmic problems. Yareli had a satisfactory performance that left her with a significant learning experience, cultural exchange, bonds of friendship, inspiration, self-confidence and a broad overview of the world of possibilities that she has to conquer her dreams.

Yareli thanked professor Humberto Gomez Cruz, a teacher at the La Paz Institute who registered her for the call to participate in the Computer Science Olympiad of the State of Guanajuato, OIEG, a contest that tests the skill of solving puzzles, the ability to create algorithms and a taste for computers, since it was the starting point to discover her abilities in this sector of science.

Her path to this competition was not easy at all, she has dedicated countless hours of her life to intensive training, exams, eliminators and mentoring. However, her passion for computing and her perseverance led her to achieve important goals.

In 2022, when she started junior high school at the La Paz Institute, she managed to reach the national stage in the OIEG. For the 2023 edition, despite studying for a large part of the day and going through a long journey of training and exams from 6 am to 10:30 pm; and training from 8 am to 2 pm, and monthly playoffs during 7 months, she didn’t achieve her goal and her self-confidence and motivation went down.

However, she did not give up and made the decision to participate in the national contest; Mexican Women’s Informatics Olympiad, OFMI, which is the prelude to the selection of the Mexican delegation to the European Women’s Informatics Olympiad.

With more experience, preparation and with the firm idea that anything is possible, Yareli achieved the goal of being selected as one of the four best Olympians to represent Mexico at the EGOI 2024.

“On this path I learned that the process is always better than the result because the process is what you are, it is what keeps you going, it implies a collective vision, the people you know, the effort of your family, your coaches, the people who support you, what you learn… everything is even more important than the result and I have learned to appreciate it, value it and enjoy it”, said Yareli.

“I am very grateful to my parents; Edith Raquel Rivera Ramirez and Javier Padron Perez, for always supporting me in all aspects; economic and emotional, for their understanding, active listening and endless permissions to attend training and competitions, and with my OFMI coach Jose Refugio Lopez Vazquez -kuko-, because he is the best coach I have ever had, he was always there supporting us with the best attitude, love, professionalism and motivation”.

From the SEG, the approach of students to the development of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) skills is encouraged, and in parallel, skills such as creativity, problem solving are promoted and collaborative work, being a means to identify and enhance the talent of students.

Therefore, Yareli received a scholarship from the SEG to attend the international competition, as well as a series of support for her trip.

After participating in an international competition, what’s next for Yareli?

Continue with her preparation to continue competing in the OFMI and she is interested in participating in the Mexican Mathematics Olympiad. For now she joined the ranks of the CECyTE, San Luis de la Paz campus, where she plans to complete her Higher Secondary education and share her experience through talks to motivate the student community to take advantage of every opportunity that life presents them, “because any opportunity can completely change your life.”

Then she wants to study International Relations, Languages ​​and Programming, with the firm conviction of becoming a computer science trainer and supporting students who are interested in this area, with the inspiration of Andrea Santillana, founder of OFMI.

Yareli’s participation in the EGOI is a source of pride for her family, for the education community, for Guanajuato and for all of Mexico. Her success is a testament to the great talent and discipline that exists among young Guanajuato girls, and an inspiring example for future generations.

In her message to the student community, Yareli recommends, “find a path, life is very beautiful, but it is a moment, what happened yesterday is now a memory, so do what satisfies you, persevere and whatever situation you are facing, don’t give up! Yes you can!” .

The Secretary of Education of Guanajuato, SEG, congratulated Yareli Guadalupe Rivera Padron, a clear example of the Guanajuato talent that adds to the Construction of the Best Education System in Mexico.