Galileo Galilei faced the wrath of the clergy to follow through his scientific beliefs. Deaf and blind Helen Keller rose to become one of the 20th century’s leading humanitarians. Despite virulent opposition and discrimination Martin Luther King fought against racial discrimination in America. Nelson Mandela devoted his life to fighting against Apartheid, earning even a 20-year life sentence in the process. Using only non-violence and non-cooperation Mahatma Gandhi became the face of the Indian freedom struggle. A gunshot to the head did not deter Malala Yousafzai, a young school girl, from standing up for girls’ right to education. History is peppered with examples of people who have overcome exceptionally challenging situations. Armed only with grit and fortitude they changed the world not only for themselves but millions of others. Last year, UCMAS dedicated its 21st International and 13th National Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Competition 2016 to this mental hardiness and fierce spi...