Jack, 2025 Ohio Pathfinder Cohort

Last year, on a bright September afternoon, Cincinnati Reds outfielder Will Benson gazed across his chessboard at Jack Hanneken, an elementary school student, considering what his next move should be. “You stumped him for a little bit,” mom Julia Hanneken tells her son, recalling the game. 

Lee Huynh, 2025 Texas Pathfinder Cohort

Among all National Math Stars, it’s safe to assume that Lee Huynh has the fastest punch.

A 10-year-old fourth grader from Fort Worth, Texas, Lee has been in karate training for two years and holds a blue belt. He recently won two gold medals at a karate tournament, both in reaction-time events: fastest punch and fastest kick.

Patrick Parkhurst, 2024 Texas Voyager Cohort

The ninjas of feudal Japan bear little resemblance to the black-clad action heroes from today’s film and TV. Referred to as ”shinobi” in their time, they were more spy than assassin; solving problems with wit, stealth, determination, and athletic prowess.

Albertini Adenuga, 2025 Minnesota Voyager Cohort

The Minnesota Vikings didn’t make the playoffs last season, but Albertini Adenuga didn’t mind. He still had a blast cheering on the team and spending time with his friends. However, finding kids to cheer with—kids who really understood him—didn’t always come so naturally. As any National Math Star will tell you, sometimes it’s hard being the smart kid.

Lilly Griswold, 2025 Michigan Voyager cohort

Lilly Griswold nearly derailed her uncle’s medical career before she even turned three.

While studying child development, he found his textbook lessons didn’t line up with what he saw in his own niece.

George Jiang, 2025 Texas Pathfinder cohort

A serene fourth grader from Austin, TX, George Jiang possesses a fierce determination that shines through both his interests and his work.