Paris ISD Students Earn 46 Awards at State Future Problem Solving Competition
Paris ISD students demonstrated outstanding creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking at the recent State Future Problem Solving (FPS) Competition, earning an impressive total of 46 awards across multiple events and divisions. Their success highlights the strength of the district’s academic programs and the dedication of students and educators alike.
In the Creative Writing competition, Paris ISD students earned top honors across all divisions. In the junior division, Husena Tapia placed first, Olivia Echols placed second and was also recognized for the most creative storyboard, and Sofia Perales placed third, with all three qualifying for international competition. In the middle division, Anna Echols qualified for international competition by earning third place along with recognition for the most creative storyboard, while Anastacio Bridges and Clara Gibbs placed fourth and fifth, respectively. At the senior level, Hannah Cunningham captured first place, Arjan Khadka earned third place with recognition for most creative storyboard, and Akshay Bacharanianda placed fourth. Both Cunningham and Khadka qualified for international competition.
In Storytelling, Paris ISD students continued their strong performance. In the junior division, Henley Ray earned first place and Zaila Bridges placed second, with both advancing to international competition, while Sofia Perales placed third. In the middle division, Anastacio Bridges earned first place and Clara Gibbs placed second, with both qualifying for international competition, and Anna Echols placed fifth.
Paris ISD also earned recognition in Community Problem Solving, where the middle division team known as Hype Hazard, made up of Anna Echols, Amelia Elliott, Kennedy Moore, Emma Donnan, and Clara Schmidt, placed second and qualified for international competition.
In Artistic Expression, middle division students Claire O’Bryan and Addyson Horton placed second and fourth, respectively.
The Global Issues Problem Solving competition saw success across multiple experience levels. In the MAGIC division, Elizabeth Kelly and Jazmin Cass earned second place, while Rhythm Prince placed third. In the novice division, the team of Annie Kerby, Tucker Kerby, Gray Holbert, and Elizabeth Gillem captured first place, while Allison Monrroy Merino, Piper Sanders, Brooklynn Norman, and Daniela Gonzalez placed second and were recognized for the most futuristic solution. The team with Vivian Young, Ava McAneney, Evelyn Middleton, and Henry Norris placed fifth, and two additional teams were named semifinalists.
In the junior division, the team of Sofia Perales, Avery Eudy, William Ashmore, and Owen Tabangcora placed second and qualified for international competition, while Campbell Harper, Caroline Elliott, Tripp Jones, and Beau Hernandez placed third, also qualifying for international competition and earning recognition for the most futuristic solution. Two additional junior teams advanced as semifinalists. In the middle division, the team of Anniston Bray, Everett Hernandez, Krish Bacharanianda, and Grace Biard placed second and qualified for international competition. The team of Maeleigh Day, Maddox Gunder, Kristen Cunningham, and Arianna Tingle also earned an impressive fifth-place finish in the middle division, while two teams were recognized as semifinalists. Evan Bryant also earned fifth place in the individual middle division competition. At the senior level, the team of Audrey Hinkle, Karina Leon, Lillian Newberry, and Lori Preston placed fifth.
In the Presentation of Action Plan event, Paris ISD students earned multiple top finishes across all divisions. In the novice division, the team of Harper Fleming, Sophia Newberry, Kyndal Davidson, and Cullen Callaway earned first place, while the team of Annie Kerby, Tucker Kerby, Gray Holbert, and Elizabeth Gillem placed second. In the junior division, the team of Olivia Echols, Stella Donnan, Leillyn Crawford, Henley Ray, and Matthew Cunningham earned first place, and the team of Campbell Harper, Caroline Elliott, Tripp Jones, and Beau Hernandez placed second. In the middle division, the team of Anna Echols, Amelia Elliott, Kennedy Moore, Emma Donnan, and Clara Schmidt earned second place.
In addition to student achievements, two Paris High School alumni, Lindley Loughmiller and Ava Fitzgerald, were honored as Volunteers of the Year for their continued support of the program.
Superintendent Althea Dixon praised the students’ accomplishments, stating, “These results are a powerful reflection of the talent, dedication, and forward-thinking mindset of our students. Competing at this level—and earning opportunities to advance internationally—demonstrates the strength of our programs and the commitment of our educators who inspire students to think beyond the classroom.”
Paris ISD will now prepare multiple students and teams to represent the district at the Future Problem Solving International Conference, set for June 10–14 in Indiana, continuing a proud tradition of excellence in Future Problem Solving.
About Future Problem Solving
Future Problem Solving (FPS) is an international academic program that engages students in critical and creative thinking through real-world challenges, equipping them with the skills needed to become leaders and innovators in a rapidly changing world.