BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — The Martin County Board of Education’s spotlight was on Eden Elementary’s Junior Future Problem Solving team and Sixth Grade Academic team for recent achievements. Superintendent Larry James praised the students and their coaches Monday before the BOE meeting at the district’s central office.

Eden’s Junior FPS team placed eighth out of 61 teams statewide in a December qualifying competition, earning a berth in the Junior FPS State Finals in Louisville on March 20.

“That’s awesome,” James said.

Coach Lora Hale agreed.

“We’re really proud of them,” she said.

Hale explained that the Junior FPS State Finals will feature 10 teams competing for five advancing spots. Those top five will move on to the annual International Conference, the highest level of competition in the program.

The 2026 International Conference is scheduled for June 10–14 at Indiana University Bloomington.

“I don’t know of any school in Martin County that has ever attended the International or even state,” Hale said. “I know Johnson County usually has some students who get to go to that. So we’re excited.”

Team members are Paige Stafford, Parker Stafford, Peyton Crum and Keilin Whitten.

“Hopefully, we will have some as well,” James said.

The superintendent also recognized Eden’s Sixth Grade Academic Team, which won the Section 35 Sixth Grade Showcase championship in December. Team members are Paige Stafford, Parker Stafford, Peyton Crum, Keilin Whitten, Beckam Spaulding, Gavin Kushto and Blaine Williams.

In addition to the overall Showcase championship, the team placed fourth in Quick Recall and earned multiple top finishes in individual subject assessments and written composition. Whitten placed first in math and arts and humanities, while Paige Stafford won first in composition. Parker Stafford, Spaulding, Crum and Williams also recorded top-five finishes across categories.

Coaches Hale and Shayna Horn accepted certificates of recognition. Coach Chasity Crum was unable to attend.