MathMovesU invited the 6th, 7th and 8th grade students nationwide to answer, “How does math put the action in your passion?” 

Based on a multimedia or paper submission, students will be awarded camperships of up to $1,000 or scholarships of $1,000 and their schools will receive matching grants of $1,000 to be used for math-related programs.  Students must demonstrate an enthusiasm for math and the ability to illustrate the importance of math in the hobby/sports/subject/activity the student cares about the most.  

Tom Bean Middle School students turned in entries for the scholarship opportunity along with hundreds of schools across the nation.  Raytheon awarded 150 scholarships nationally.   

There were eight scholarship recipients in Texas.  Tom Bean Middle School student, Shelby Thompson, was awarded one of the eight scholarships for her outstanding application! 

Principal Mr. Dewitt Smith says, “Shelby is a terrific student, a hard worker and very deserving of the scholarship.  We are so very proud of her.”

Shelby Thompson said she is "thankful to Raytheon for the scholarship and for providing students with this opportunity."  She also noted that she was "so appreciative of Ms. Reagan Wilson and Ms. Julie Cummings for supporting her in the process.”

Additionally, Shelby’s 7th grade Math teacher, Ms. Reagan Wilson, stated, “I am so proud of Shelby. She is such a great student and works so hard in my math class.”  

Thompson was presented the scholarship award at the 6th and 7th grade Awards Ceremony at Tom Bean Middle School by Mrs. Sherry Howard, Mayor of Tom Bean.  Ms. Howard, an employee of Raytheon, was honored to present the award to Thompson.  Ms. Howard has been instrumental in bringing the Math Moves U Program to Tom Bean each year.  This is the first time students have had the opportunity to apply for the MathMovesU scholarship. 

(L-R) Shelby Thompson and Tom Bean Mayor Sherry Howard

For years, Raytheon has dedicated resources to creating a greater awareness and appreciation of math among young people. Raytheon understands that in order to inspire students, we need to engage them when they are young, support them during critical middle school years and continue to build on that support throughout their academic lives.  Raytheon’s many-tiered MathMovesU program utilizes a host of engaging learning programs, including MathMovesU's interactive website, scholarships, sponsorships and events to help students from middle school through college remain interested in math and science and, by extension, ensure the continued strength of the American work force. 

Raytheon celebrated the fifth anniversary of the company’s signature MathMovesU program recently by launching a new MathMovesU website. This expanded resource provides an interactive online destination for middle school students, parents, educators and others interested in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education excellence. The new website is the latest effort in a program that has inspired more than 1 million U.S. middle school students to experience the excitement that is possible with math and science.  

Mr. Smith stated that he “Hopes that this is the first in many future student scholarships to be awarded to TBMS students as a result of the partnership between Raytheon and Tom Bean Middle School.