The Martinsville-Henry County Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (M-HC NSBE) returned from the NSBE 2025 Annual Convention in Chicago with remarkable achievements.
The chapter’s middle school Ten80 team competed on March 6, securing first place in the race events, showcasing their engineering and problem-solving skills on a national stage. Because of their success at the annual convention, the team was invited to participate in the 2025 Ten80 STEM Challenge Nationals at Charlotte Motor Speedway on April 25-26.
“We couldn’t be prouder of these young students,” said M-HC NSBE head mentor Helen Howell. “This was the first year that we had a middle school Ten80 team, so to come home with a first-place trophy truly shows how remarkable these students are.”
Adding to the celebration, two outstanding members of M-HC NSBE were honored with Golden Torch Awards, a prestigious national recognition within NSBE. Anaya Maseko received the Rising Star in Academia (Middle School) award, while Destiny Johnson was named Pre-College Student of the Year (Female).
“These accomplishments highlight the dedication, talent, and hard work of the NSBE students,” said NCI Executive Director Joe Sumner. “We are incredibly proud of their success and look forward to seeing them continue to excel in STEM fields.”
Additionally, M-HC NSBE had two MathCounts teams, two KidWind teams and a Black History team that competed at the convention. When the students weren’t competing, they participated in workshops, explored a college fair featuring top universities, and engaged with representatives from more than 300 leading companies at a career fair. They also had the chance to tour Chicago, visiting landmarks such as former President Obama’s house, various museums, Lake Michigan, and local universities.
The M-HC NSBE chapter remains committed to fostering the next generation of engineers and innovators. For more information about M-HC NSBE and how to get involved, visit www.newcollegeinstitute.org and click “REGISTER NOW,” or contact Howell by email at hhowell1972@yahoo.com or phone at (276) 252-8501.
