FAIRFIELD -- A career in aerospace engineering might provide Jimmy Pershken with a challenge.

But Pershken, who is taking multi-variable calculus at Colby College, has plenty of time to think about a career. He's only a sophomore. In high school.

Pershken, a 15-year-old from Albion, is winning rave reviews at Lawrence High School for his prowess in mathematics. He is taking college-level calculus for the second year, and was the top-scoring freshman in the Central Maine Math League -- when he was a seventh-grader.

"In 36 years I've only seen one other person who approaches Jeremy's ability in mathematics," said Pershken's teacher, Henry "Skip" Gates. "I started getting e-mails from the Albion elementary teachers, saying this is the brightest kid they'd ever seen in class, and as the math-team coach, could I do something with him?"

Gates did all he could, and so did the Albion teachers.

Scott Giroux, who was the School Administrative District 49 math tutor at the time, provided the impetus.

"You need a tutor if you're really good, to give you more work," Gates explained. "They'll be fine (without one), but you know what? They can fly."

Pershken got A's in calculus when he was in the eighth grade, and did the same as a freshman with advanced-placement calculus. Now, he's exploring what Colby has to offer.

"I'm getting it," Pershken said. "It's just a lot different environment than what high school is -- more lectures, less questions and answers."

Gates pinpointed the skills of that rare math talent.

"I call it mathematical perception," he said. "It's a unique way of seeing things logically and seeing how they flow."

Pershken said he applies his math talents to his musical endeavors. He plays guitar in the Lawrence High band, and played in a band that took first place last year in a school talent show.

He picked up his father's guitar when he was 11.

"There's a theory to (music) that can be described in math," he said. "It's kind of like they're two forms of the same thing."

Gates said he has taught only one other student at Lawrence who is at Pershken's level in math. Chris Dow, a 2002 graduate, majored in mathematics at the University of Chicago, a haven for Nobel Prize laureates, Gates said.

Two years ago, Pershken ranked second among Lawrence students in the Central Maine Math League, which consists of 22 schools. Last year, he reclaimed his No. 1 status.

Pershken scored a perfect 5 in the AP calculus test.

But while math might come easy, there have been trying times for him. His mother, Jean, died in March.

"He has dealt with adversity," said Scott Ballard, math department chairman at Lawrence. "He's a fine all-around young man. He has respect from his peers as well as the teachers and staff."

When it comes to a calculating mind, Pershken is blessed with a solid pedigree. His father, Rick, is a civil engineer.

"I figure I'll have a career somewhere in math," he said.

He's understated, too.

Larry Grard -- 861-9239

lgrard@centralmaine.com