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Two ECISD elementary student earns National Math Star honor

Ariana standing in front of gym door decorated with Reagan name and starts
Two ECISD elementary student earns National Math Star honor

Ariana Borra and Gryffin George are among just 7% of applicants to receive this recognition

Two Ector County ISD students are among a select few to have earned recognition as a National Math Star. Austin Montessori second-grader Gryffin George and Reagan Elementary third-grader Ariana Borra are part of a group of just over 600 students from a pool of 9,000 top elementary math students across ten states selected for this year’s National Math Stars program. As part of the Pathfinder Stars initiative, they will receive 10 years of support, including advanced math learning opportunities, mentorship and guidance, financial support, STEM enrichment experiences, and more. 

“[Math is] like a puzzle, I started doing puzzles when I was two,” said Gryffin. “It’s like putting together puzzle pieces to finish the picture.” 

“I’ve always liked math,” said Ariana. “I like to do multiplication and division, and number sequences and patterns.” 

Ariana and Gryffin were selected for the Pathfinder Stars initiative after a multi-stage evaluation of mathematical aptitude. Fewer than 7% of applicants are accepted as National Math Stars.  

Over the next ten years, they will receive: 

  • Financial support for advanced math courses and more. 

  • Ongoing mentorship and guidance from the National Math Stars team 

  • Advanced math learning opportunities 

  • STEM enrichment materials and experiences 

  • Invitations to math competitions and summer camps 

"The ten states we're drawing these Stars from represent one-fourth of the second- and third-graders in America. Each year, we reach a larger share of students who possess truly exceptional math abilities," said Ilana Walder-Biesanz, CEO of National Math Stars. "With this new cohort, we are supporting just shy of 1,000 Stars. These amazing students will shape the future of STEM research and innovation." 

You can see the full press release from National Math Stars here.  

National Math Stars is a nonprofit that identifies mathematically extraordinary students beginning in 2nd and 3rd grade and supports them for ten years, through high school graduation. Founded in 2023, the organization now works with schools and districts in ten states.

Gryffin standing in main hallway of the school.

 

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