Holden Dunlap, 2024 Texas cohort

Holden recently acted and sang in a local performance of Matilda, put on by Houston non-profit Theatre Under The Stars. Based on the beloved book by Roald Dahl, the musical tells the story of Matilda Wormwood, a young girl with astonishing intelligence and abilities who succeeds with the help of a fierce advocate, her teacher Miss Honey. 

Sebastian Valdez, 2024 Texas cohort

Sebastian Valdez loves space, but says he’ll never be an astronaut. It’s his fear of heights, he explains. “Space is too high.” But that’s ok. It doesn’t stop him from exploring NASA-related science – especially when it pertains to other interests like circuits, robotics, or chemistry.

Derek Mendez, 2023 pilot cohort

At just nine years old, Derek is already learning math at a seventh-grade level and dreaming up fire-spewing robots. A fourth grader from Kissimmee, Florida, he skipped second grade and continues to accelerate in math, thanks to a powerful combination of personal drive, a supportive family, and (of course) the guidance and resources he gets from National Math Stars.

Emiliana Lofat, 2024 Texas cohort

When Emiliana Lofat’s third-grade teacher pulled her aside to talk about her MAP test scores, she assumed it would be a one-time award. Maybe a certificate, a handshake, a “good job.” What she didn’t expect was to be invited into a whole new world.

Adaline Haney, 2024 Texas cohort

At just nine years old, Adaline Haney of Rhome, TX is printing 3D fidget toys, solving multi-step word problems in her head, and dreaming about birds. She’s fascinated by the structure of feathers and how wings work. She’s considered becoming an ornithologist. Maybe. She’s not sure yet—but she’s quite certain she’ll keep on learning.

Ria Xu, 2023 pilot cohort

Ria has a deep appreciation for ants. She’s amazed by their social structures, which resemble humans’ in many ways. She’s fascinated by their ability to communicate through touch and pheromone production.  She’d love to have an ant farm of her own, “but there never seem to be any queen ants around here,” she laments.