Butte math whiz hopes to attend summer STEM program in Denver

Third-grader Arikson Boyd paused before answering. He had been asked whether he’s the family’s smartest member.

“I don’t know about square roots, like my family does,” he said. “I don’t even know how to multiply fractions.”

Yet Boyd, 9, a student at Whittier Elementary School in Butte, also acknowledges with a mix of humility and confidence that he typically handles numbers well.

“I’m like really good at math for a third-grader,” he said during a recent interview.

Boyd was asked whether this self-assessment was based on feedback or simple self-awareness.

“I think I just know it,” he said.

Others know it too.

Lacie Hettick, a teacher at Whittier Elementary, nominated Boyd to participate in a six-day NYLF Pathways to STEM residential program this summer at the University of Denver.

NYLF stands for National Youth Leadership Forum, and STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. STEM education has been all the rage in recent decades amidst hand-wringing that students in the U.S. lag well behind students in other countries in math and science.

Similar academic and political angst followed the Soviet Union’s launch of the Sputnik satellite in 1957.

Self-described as a “unique academic and career-oriented development experience,” the NYLF Pathways to STEM program will run from July 21-26.

Boyd has never been away from home by himself.

His parents, Linzi and Josh Boyd, did not know Hettick had nominated their third-grader until a letter of acceptance arrived in the mail.

“We thought about it for probably a month or so, and then we got him signed up,” Linzi said. “He wanted to do it.”

One consideration was his inexperience with solo time away from home.

Boyd seemed nonchalant about that detail during the recent interview.

“I might miss my cats,” he said, referencing Hallie and Walbert. “I mean, I honestly feel excited.”

Another consideration was the program’s cost, which is $3,499, not including transportation to and from Denver.

Boyd’s parents said they wanted their son to have a chance to participate in the NYLF Pathways to STEM program because it seemed right up his alley and because being a smart kid isn’t always easy.

He started reading at age 3 and doing multiplication at 4 or 5, his family said. He was a big fan of the Netflix show “Numberblocks.”

Linzi Boyd is a bookkeeper for Stix & Stonz Carpet on Arizona Street, and Josh Boyd works as a technician for Pioneer Technical Services. Neither claims genetic credit for Boyd’s smarts.

The parents have started fundraising for the STEM program in Denver and have made some initial payments while making progress.

Boyd keeps a lively schedule and seems to enjoy it. He has participated in several sports, takes piano lessons and is a member of The Dynamic Dance & Tumbling Academy in Butte.

He was asked to name his favorite sport.

“If we’re including dance, then probably dance,” Boyd said.

He was asked what else readers should know about him.

“I’m a really good tap dancer,” he said.

Krista Harrington is a co-owner and artistic director of The Dynamic Dance & Tumbling Academy.

She is a big fan of Arikson Boyd.

“Arikson is an amazing kid,” Harrington said. “I have known him nearly his whole life because he has two older sisters, one of whom was dancing before Arikson was born.

“He enters the studio with big enthusiasm about what he is about to learn and is excited to show what he's practiced at home from the previous class,” she said. “He is one of the smartest boys I know. I love hearing him rattle off information a typical 9-year-old would never know or care to know.”

Harrington said Boyd loved fielding math problem challenges when he was 4 or 5 years old. He would solve them on the spot, she said.

“Now, he loves different geography questions and can give information about locations I've never even heard of,” Harrington said. “Even when it comes to tap dancing, he knows tap history and musical facts like whether we are in a ‘swing rhythm’ or ‘straight time,’ or the difference in what is a triplet or a quarter note and how to count it. He's truly remarkable.”

NYLF Pathways to STEM issued a press release about Boyd’s participation in the program this summer.

“His love of knowledge and natural ability to retain information makes this program something that Arikson will not only enjoy but will truly impact his life,” the release said.

“Our students are challenged with real-world simulations and problems, working together to develop unique solutions and projects to bring life to their studies and career interests,” the release reported.

Boyd sounds like he’s ready. By all reports, he demonstrates a positive attitude in interactions with family, school and extracurricular activities.

He is years away from making career decisions but was willing to speculate.

“Either like an engineer or maybe a teacher, or something like a dance teacher,” Boyd said.

Some smart people, of all ages, tend to be introspective and brooding, a description that does not seem to fit this third-grader from Butte.

A proud parent commented.

“We always hear from all the teachers and everybody how great he is, and he’s such a positive kid all the time,” Linzi Boyd said. “When he was going into first grade, I ran into one of the teachers and she told me they were all fighting over whose class he was going to be in.”

Peers sometimes tease smart kids for being brainy. Boyd said that doesn’t happen at Whittier.

“Actually, they do the exact opposite,” he said.

Hettick’s letter of nomination reported Boyd demonstrates a natural curiosity and enthusiasm for STEM-related topics.

“He asks thoughtful questions, engages actively in science and math discussions and shows excitement when exploring problem-solving tasks and hands-on learning activities,” she wrote.

Hettick said Boyd “works well with others and demonstrates strong social skills, showing respect, kindness and cooperation with both peers and adults."

She added, “I believe he is an excellent candidate for this program, and I nominated him because I see great potential in his future. I am excited to see all that he will accomplish and look forward to his continued success in life.”

To contribute toward Arikson Boyd’s tuition for the NYLF Pathways to STEM program in July at the University of Denver, go to Linzi Boyd’s Facebook page and use Venmo. Or stop by Stix & Stonz Carpet at 926 S. Arizona St., Butte.