At the 2022 International History Olympiad, one of the most anticipated events was the Country Exam: a multiple choice exam all about a particular country. Prior to the Olympiad, it was announced that the student who finished with the highest overall score across all four age divisions would win a free VIP trip to the country in question, and just before the Olympiad, it was announced that this would be Poland. After the Country Exam took place, the winning student was revealed at the Closing Ceremonies on the USS Intrepid. After the four age division gold medalists were announced, it was then revealed that the student with the highest overall score was the Junior Varsity Gold Medalist, Sean Pastalaniec of Friendswood High School in Texas!

Sean and his parents will be visiting Poland in November 2022, and International Academic Competitions is preparing a special itinerary for them. They will meet with Polish dignitaries, receive special access to sites throughout Warsaw, and be welcomed by a reception worthy of the most knowledgeable student on Polish history in the world. Sean, whose ancestors emigrated from Poland to the USA in the early 20th century, has already visited over twenty countries on four continents. He plans on majoring in marine sciences in college, and later is interested in pursuing a PhD in marine archaeology.

We wish Sean and his family a memorable stay in Poland, and congratulate him for this outstanding achievement at the 2022 International History Olympiad!