For the second consecutive year, Dhamaris Alarcón Huamaní reached the podium at the Latin American Astronomy and Astronautics Olympiad (OLAA). The 16-year-old student won the gold medal at this year’s edition, held in Paraguay, following her silver-medal win last year in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The student from the Saco Oliveros school, currently in her fifth year of secondary education, once again distinguished herself in a competition that brought together representatives from more than a dozen countries. This achievement adds to her growing list of international accolades in mathematics, physics, and astronomy.
“It was very exciting to win the gold medal. In the previous edition, I won silver, and now I feel that I’ve managed to surpass my previous performance, learn more, and continue expanding my knowledge,” said Dhamaris.
The Olympiad consisted of four tests: two individual—covering theory and astronomical observation—and two group-based, which included rocketry challenges. Participants put their knowledge of astronomy, astrophysics, and space flight dynamics to the test.
Special award in rocketry
In addition to her individual medal, Dhamaris was part of an international team that received a special award for the best rocketry project on the continent. Together with students from Costa Rica and Brazil, she participated in the design and construction of a rocket.
“One of the challenges I enjoyed the most was the rocketry event, because we worked as a team. We spent two days building a rocket, and on the third day, we launched it. We earned the highest score in the challenge. It was so exciting—we were overjoyed and all started jumping for joy,” she recounted.
A track record of medals
The gold medal won in Paraguay adds to an impressive track record in international scientific competitions. Among her major achievements is a gold medal earned at the European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO), held in France.
In 2024, she secured two more gold medals: one at the Copernicus International Olympiad in Physics and Astronomy, held in Houston, USA, and another at the 7th Mesoamerican Physics Olympiad. That same year, she became a two-time champion of the Pan-American Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad (PAGMO).
Prior to her participation in Paraguay, Dhamaris had already accumulated more than a dozen international medals in mathematics, physics, and astronomy.
A passion for space
Dhamaris’s interest in space exploration began at the age of nine, when she discovered her calling for aerospace engineering. Since then, she has strengthened her background in mathematics, physics, and astronomy—disciplines she considers essential for achieving her professional goals.
Her primary aspiration is to study Aerospace Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States and to pursue a scientific career that would one day allow her to work at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
She also encourages other students to explore astronomy and participate in scientific competitions, firmly believing that these experiences open up new learning opportunities.
“These Olympiads can change your life and the way you look at the sky and the stars,” she noted.
For Dhamaris, scientific competitions represent much more than just a chance to win medals; they are experiences that fuel her curiosity and bring her closer to her dream of exploring the universe.
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(END) NDP/LIT / MDV
Published: 11/11/2026