Arya Howard, a fourth-grade student at M.S. Ryan Elementary School, has been selected as a National Math Star. Howard has been selected as one of just over 600 nationwide from a pool of nearly 9,000 top elementary math students from around the country.
National Math Stars is a nonprofit that identifies mathematically extraordinary students beginning in second and third grade and supports them for 10years, through high school graduation. Founded in 2023, the organization now works with schools and districts in 10 states.
Howard was selected for the program after a multi-stage evaluation of mathematical aptitude. Fewer than 7% of applicants are accepted as National Math Stars.
“I am excited about this opportunity to learn more math,” said Howard. “I am proud to be a Ryan Bobcat and represent my school, Laredo ISD, and my city.”
Over the next ten years, Arya 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
“We are incredibly proud of Arya for earning this exceptional national recognition. Being selected as a National Math Star from thousands of highly talented students across the country reflects both her remarkable mathematical ability and her dedication to learning,” said Dr. Alberto Resendez, Ryan Elementary School Principal. “Arya represents the very best of Ryan Elementary, and we are excited to see the opportunities, experiences, and continued growth this 10-year program will provide her. This achievement is a tremendous honor for Arya, her family, and our entire Ryan Elementary community.”
Arya started enjoying math when her grandfather, Alfredo Gus Perez started teaching her how to count when she was three years old.
“My grandpa started teaching me how to count with my fingers at that time,” said Howard. “Since then, I have been asking my grandpa for the word of the day as well as the math question of the day, every day. If he doesn’t call me, I make sure to call him.”
When asked what is the hardest math problem that she has solved lately she said the Pythagorean Theorem. “It is a^2 + B^2 =C^2. It is hard because it is new but I like geometry,” said Howard.
“We are immensely proud of Arya for being selected as a National Math Star from a nationwide pool of nearly 9,000 applicants,” said Trina Bratton, LISD GT Coordinator. “Her acceptance into this prestigious 10-year program—achieved by fewer than 7% of candidates—is a testament to her extraordinary innate talent, dedication, and exceptional mathematical aptitude.”
“If a kid is nervous about math, I would tell them not to worry. Everything is going be hard at first, but then the more practice you have the better and easier it’ll get,” said Howard. “Not everybody gets it right the first time. In fact, everybody in the world makes mistakes, even Albert Einstein! What’s important is that we learn from our mistakes and don’t give up.”
As a member of LISD’s Gifted and Talented Program, Arya benefits from specialized instruction, tailored services, and unique learning opportunities provided by the district to foster her continued growth. Working alongside dedicated teachers and school leaders, the district’s Gifted and Talented program is committed to nurturing her deep curiosity for math, supporting her academic journey, and helping her reach her full potential as an extraordinary young scholar.
Howard hopes to become a mathematician when she gets older. She is a member of the Ryan Elementary School Cheerleaders and will attend M.B. Lamar Middle School and J.W. Nixon High School. Arya is the daughter of John and Yelitza Howard.
National Math Stars is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to ensure mathematically extraordinary students from all communities have the resources they need to reach the frontiers of math and science. Learn more at www.nationalmathstars.org.