Dubois County students shine in national math contest results

Students from Southwest Dubois County School Corporation posted strong results in the Noetic Learning Math Contest held January 9, with one student earning national distinction and dozens more recognized for high performance. The NLMC is a national problem-solving competition for grades 2–8 that emphasizes deep thinking and logical deduction; this year more than 33,000 students nationwide took part.

Holland Elementary, Huntingburg Elementary, and Southridge Middle School together entered 259 students from the district. Southridge sixth-grader Brooks Hilsmeyer earned a place on the National Honor Roll for top-tier scoring in his division. Another 62 local competitors received Honorable Mention, a designation that places them in the top 50 percent nationally. District participants represented roughly 0.8 percent of the national field, and about 24 percent of local entrants achieved Honorable Mention.

Those results matter beyond trophies and certificates. Math competitions like NLMC serve as an early indicator of analytical strength and problem-solving habits that feed into advanced coursework, college readiness, and technical career pipelines. For a county that relies on precision skills across manufacturing, trades, and small business, a steady stream of students comfortable with logical reasoning can support long-term economic resilience.

At the school level, participation by 259 students shows broad engagement across grade levels and campuses. District leaders and parents can view these outcomes as evidence that classroom instruction, enrichment activities, and teacher coaching are yielding measurable gains in critical thinking. The contest also provides low-cost, scalable assessment data that school administrators can use to target support where it matters most—whether that means expanding after-school math clubs, investing in professional development for teachers, or creating inter-school challenge teams to sustain momentum.

Nationally, the NLMC’s 33,000 participants reflect growing interest in math contests as a complement to standard assessments. For Dubois County, sustaining and expanding participation could strengthen the local STEM pipeline and make students more competitive for regional technical training programs and college scholarships. Local employers and civic groups can play a role by sponsoring teams, offering mentors, or hosting practice events to deepen ties between schools and the workforce.

Photos of teams and classroom groups accompany this story, celebrating students and the teachers who coached them. Our two cents? Encourage your child to try a contest, cheer on the teams, and consider supporting school math programs—small investments now pay dividends in stronger problem solvers and a more adaptable local workforce.