Young Evelyn struggle hard to win for Indonesia

Young Evelyn struggle hard to win for Indonesia

Emmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The composed Evelyn Mintarno perhaps represents the spirit of
today's youth in Jakarta and probably in other big cities in
Indonesia for the same reasons.

Born in Jakarta on June 21, 1985, Evelyn is truly a typical
urban teenager. She studies foreign languages (Mandarin and
English), takes piano lessons and hangs out at malls in her spare
time. But the one thing that sets her apart is she loves science.

She often falters or delays her answers when she is asked
questions about being Indonesian: the nationality, the country
and its history.

"If I am asked about August 17th, I don't know why I always
associate that day with the morning flag ceremony at school," she
remarked while giggling.

Evelyn and her peers cannot be blamed though.

She is a part of the generation that does not feel tied down
to the country by the heavy weight of nationalism and she was
raised to see that all land belongs to everyone. The generation
that lives in a borderless world.

This cannot be said lightly because she does know what it is
like to fight for one's country. The country's reputation was at
stake when she participated in international contests.

In addition, she knows the country's history and she
understands what is meant by nationalism. But she cannot describe
how she feels to be Indonesian.

"I don't know, I am just being me. I am an Indonesian because
I was born and raised here. But I have no idea what needs to be
shown to be Indonesian," she said.

Raised in an affluent family and living in an exclusive
neighborhood in North Jakarta, Evelyn probably has had an easier
time than her unfortunate peers of Chinese-descent who were
discriminated against and stereotyped.

However, she has her strength to be proud of. Recently,
Evelyn, who is one-half of a set of twins, won the bronze medal
in the 33rd International Physics Olympiad, which was held in
Denpasar, Bali. She was also awarded the best female participant.

"I am really proud because I am the world's number one
(female) in physics," said Evelyn, who confessed that she was
nervous at first because there were only a few female
contestants.

At the end of the contest, the Indonesian contingent was
basking in glory because apart from Evelyn, her compatriots
Agustinus P. Sahanggamu, Widagdo Setiawan, Fadjar Ardian and
Christopher Hendriks, respectively bagged two gold medals, one
silver and a bronze.

Indonesia, along with Taiwan and Hungary, took fourth position
after Iran, China, South Korea and Russia.

"In a competition of international scale, like the one in
Bali, we really realized that we must work hard so that Indonesia
will win. It's not just me or my friends, we are a team. The
Indonesian team," she said.

Nevertheless, before the victorious moment, Evelyn and the
boys went through a long struggle.

Previously, the Ministry of National Education held a test to
select the most promising students. There were some 2,000
students competing in the test, but only 30 passed.

And then for nine months the 30 students trained for the Asian
Physics Olympiad in Singapore. Only eight managed to go to
Singapore, where Evelyn received a bronze medal.

The students -- narrowed down to only five later -- then were
given another two months intensive training and were quarantined
at a shop-house in Lippo Karawaci housing complex in Tangerang,
some 30 kilometers west of Jakarta.

The fruit of their labor was eventually satisfactory.

The struggle does not end for young Evelyn though, because she
will face more challenges not here, but overseas.

The graduate of private high school SMU Penabur I Jakarta and
her twin sister Elvina will fly to California in September to
continue their studies. Both are enrolled at Stanford University
in the States.

"I am concerned about quality. I want to get the best
(education) and I must go to another country where the best
education is offered," Evelyn said.

Her dream was Harvard though.

"I sure want to return to Indonesia once I finish my studies.
But I still get confused if I am asked what I want to be later.

"I want to improve myself and dedicate my knowledge to
Indonesia but I don't know in what field," she said.

Her choices are running her own business like her parents or
becoming a scientist.

The eighth grade pianist who loves to play Beethoven's
Moonlight Sonata could only say, "I don't know what to do later,
I am still confused."