Cannon Elementary fifth grader Henry Troeger and Glenhope Elementary third grader Andrew “Hoot” Yarrish have been selected as National Math Stars for 2025, an honor earned by a select 270 students nationwide out of more than 12,000 eligible candidates.
National Math Stars is a multi-state program that identifies students with exceptional mathematical talent and supports their growth for up to 10 years. As members of the Pathfinders cohort, Troeger and Yarrish will receive one-on-one math mentoring; advanced learning opportunities; science, technology engineering and math (STEM) enrichment; and invitations to math competitions and summer camps.
“Henry has always loved math and patterns,” mom Sarah Fullhart said. “When he struggled to fall asleep, I asked what might help calm his mind and he would say, ‘Maybe some math problems.’”
She would give him questions about fractions, averages, multiplication, even the area of a triangle, and he happily worked through all of them, “but then was too excited to sleep,” she added.
Cannon Elementary, GCISD’s STEM campus, Fullhart continued, “has nurtured his love of building, engineering, science, and math from the very beginning. Even though he telescopes in math, Cannon has consistently supported his curiosity and is a huge part of why Henry feels so at home in the world of math,” she said.
Dad Jim Yarris recalls that the family realized his son’s math aptitude during dinner table math challenges. “Hoot was extremely proud to be able to work out problems in his head faster than his big sis could do them on paper.”
“He loves math,” he said, “but I think it was the ‘winning’ that really motivated him.”
Yarrish’s soccer coach also noticed that he uses his math skills to see the angles on the soccer field, an ability that sets up his teammates to succeed.
“GCISD has been at the center of it all,” his father added. “From kindergarten to now, the support and encouragement he has received from teachers and administrators is critical and the opportunity provided by the district for him to telescope was huge as it allowed him to find work that really challenged and motivated him.”
Congratulations to Troeger and Yarrish on being named National Math Stars!