Notre Dame student Ella Holbert earned a first-place trophy last week in Iowa during the international Future Problem-Solving Program competition. Holbert will be a junior in the fall.Ella Holbert, who will be a junior when Notre Dame Prep begins classes again in August, earned a first place in "scenario writing" at the Future Problem Solving Program's international conference held last week at Iowa State University. Holbert won the opportunity to compete at the international competition after a first-place finish this past March in the Michigan Future Problem Solvers Program (FPSP).
FPSP is affiliated with Future Problem Solving Program International, a nonprofit educational corporation administering creative problem-solving activities for students in grades K-12. Its stated mission is "to develop the ability of young people globally to design and promote positive futures using critical, creative thinking."
According to Melissa Archer, an NDP English teacher and the school's FPSC coach, Holbert left for Iowa soon after exams and, with her team, ended up with the first-place finish after writing a short story set at least 20 years in the future. "I am very proud of Ella," Archer said.
Holbert said she worked hard to get into the competition, but stressed that her coach played a huge role in her success. "She is one of the best coaches in the world," Holbert said of Archer. "And I hope we can come back again next year and do it all over again!"
About Future Problem Solving Program International
Founded by creativity pioneer, Dr. E. Paul Torrance, Future Problem Solving Program International (FPSPI) stimulates critical and creative thinking skills, encourages students to develop a vision for the future, and prepares students for leadership roles. FPSPI engages students in creative problem solving within the curriculum and provides competitive opportunities. Future Problem Solving Program International involves thousands of students annually from Australia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Portugal, Singapore, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States.
Follow Notre Dame at @NDPMA.
About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.