Chimora Taylor, a fourth-grade student at Colonel Santos Benavides Elementary, has been picked by National Math Stars to join the Pathfinder Stars Program - an achievement that places her on an elite mathematical journey.

This rising math star now joins the ranks recruited by National Math Stars, a nonprofit organization dedicated to recognizing and supporting talented young mathematicians. The organization follows the students over a decade and runs free programs that help students access advanced math coursework, STEM summer camps, and a community of math-loving peers.

The nonprofit partners with school districts and states to nominate 2nd and 3rd grade students who scored in the top 2 percent on a recent standardized math or gifted/talented assessment. Parents follow up by submitting their children’s applications. The process to get accepted into the program is tough with additional multiple exams, assessments and individual and family interviews.

Colonel Santos Benavides Elementary Principal Dr. Adriana Vela said Chimora is exceptional.

“She boasts stellar grades and exemplary attendance. Chimora possesses the ability to articulate her ideas clearly - both verbally and in writing - together with her ability to think logically, reason analytically, make conjectures, and work with abstract relationships,” Dr. Vela said.

“These skills make her a formidable student, ready to tackle any future academic or social challenge. Her capacity to break down complex problems, use a variety of strategies and persist when faced with challenges makes her a true scholar,” Dr. Vela added.

Chimora is a well-rounded student, playing volleyball and flag football and participating in the school choir as well. She said she also likes to cook and would like to be a math teacher when she grows up.

Her mother, Chabrea Taylor, a federal government employee, is a fan of math and science as well. She is glad her daughter will be challenged by the program.

“This is good because the program itself is exciting, especially because of all the different STEM opportunities that they have and different advanced courses she will be taking throughout the school year in addition to what she is already doing,” Taylor said.

National Math Stars, funded by philanthropists and started in 2023, has expanded and is now in seven states. It has three programs that focus on identifying mathematically gifted students. Pathfinder, named after the 1997 NASA mission to Mars that landed a base station and deployed a rover on the surface (the first rover to visit Mars), is one of those programs and Chimora is part of the first cohort for the 2025-2026 year. She is one of about 270 Stars who were selected among thousands of applicants.

“Chimora is truly a well-rounded student involved in many extracurricular activities in which she excels in,” Dr. Vela said. “At CSBS we believe in educating the whole child, and in developing her ability to manage several duties and tasks simultaneously. Beyond Chimora's intellect, is her kind heart and poised and professional demeanor, which truly makes her a CSBS leader and role model.”

“She embodies the core character values that we teach: CSB....Way to be! At CSBS we want to continue to encourage girls to enter STEM challenges and break long-standing stereotypes and social norms. We focus on the idea that diverse teams lead to more creative solutions and groundbreaking discoveries in science and technology to solve critical real-world problems,” Dr. Vela added.

Chimora Talyor, a fourth-grader at Col. Santos Benavides Elementary, is a National Math Star and well-rounded student