Holden, 2024 Texas cohort

Holden Dunlap 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.  

Holden might have recognized something of himself in Matilda. No, he hasn’t had to topple a cruel headmistress, but he has learned the importance of having strong supporters. Holden’s parents, Maria and Larry, have been his advocates, fighting to see him receive an education befitting his natural talents.  

Maria, a teacher herself, recognized her son’s advanced abilities when he was very little. “He started reading at three years,” she recalls. “It was incredible, you know, how quickly he could read words.” 

Holden adds: “When I was about three, my dad had to leave for a work trip for, like, a month…and when he came back I had this small kids’ book I was reading. My dad still tells that story – how I managed to learn to read in, like, a month.”

In second grade, his teachers gave him the Wings of Fire series to read, recommended for readers in grades 4-7, while his classmates were moving into simple chapter books.

Holden’s aptitudes also extended into the sciences and math. He recalls sitting next to a friend in class and, randomly, asking for two really big numbers to add together. 

“He gave me, like, seven digit numbers, and then I put them in standard addition form and I got it right. I checked the calculator later.”

(Note: this is eerily similar to a scene from the movie adaptation of Matilda.)

Recognizing her son’s potential, Maria began piecing together learning opportunities however she could. “We could only afford a self-paced class, like Prealgebra with Art of Problem Solving (AoPS),” she recalls. “We couldn’t pay for a live class. So we did Prealgebra at home with the books.”

But even with all her efforts, Holden still didn’t have access to the kind of structured, high-level learning he was clearly ready for. And their school could only do so much. 

“They said, ‘Well, first of all, the math that you want him to learn – how is that exactly going to work? You know he’s part of a class, he needs to be with the group.’” 

Though the school did slot him into a one-day-a-week Gifted & Talented program, the school wouldn’t let him skip to a level of math that was multiple grade levels ahead. As expected, one day a week in G&T just wasn’t challenging Holden enough. “It was really, really discouraging,” Maria remembers. 

Then, of course, National Math Stars entered the picture. 

“It changed – completely,” Maria said, reflecting on the shift. “There’s a before and after. With National Math Stars, we’re working with people who truly understand our child’s capabilities. They know how his brain works. What he’s capable of.”

She continues: “He’s in fifth grade, but he’s learning algebra – working three or four grade levels ahead. I was really impressed with how knowledgeable they are. During his first math assessment, the mentor said, ‘I think he’s ready for algebra,’ and I thought – wow. It’s amazing – when so many doors have been closed to you and your family and your child – it’s amazing to have this.”

Now, Holden is completing AoPS’ Contest Math Algebra and preparing to start Geometry. He’s also distinguishing himself in competitions like AMC 8 and Noetic Math. This summer, he’ll participate in three major enrichment programs: Aggie STEM Camp, Math in the Mountains, and a course led by renowned mathematician Po-Shen Loh.

In many ways, Holden’s journey mirrors the spirit of Matilda (without the cruel headmistress, of course). Holden’s experience shows what can happen when a gifted child is truly seen, challenged, and supported. He’s not just advancing in math; he’s growing into a version of himself that’s bold, curious, and proud.

And at every step, Maria, together with Larry, has been his Miss Honey; tirelessly advocating for every opportunity. Now, with NMS’s support, the family has all the resources they need. With a strategy in place and a strong support system behind him, Holden Dunlap will have what he needs for every stage – theatrical and otherwise.