A Seventh-day Adventist student was named Nicaragua’s “best student” last month after earning first place in a national competition measuring proficiency in math and science.
Nathon Leopold Hilton, 16, was recognized by Nicaragua’s Ministry of Education as the country’s top scoring student during a ceremony at the Chiquilistagua Stadium in Managua on September 13. The honor was based on Hilton’s performance on a national test covering mathematics, physics, biology and chemistry.
Leopold, an eleventh grader, is the first student from the Nicaragua Adventist Vocational School to receive such recognition, said school principal Felipe Cordero.
“We are excited for Nathon and that this recognition highlighted the school,” Cordero said, adding that school faculty and staff are committed to both strong academics and spiritual growth.
The school plans to hold a program to honor all the students who made district finals in various subjects, Cordero said.
More than 200 primary and secondary students are currently enrolled at Nicaragua Adventist Vocational School. The school is operated by the church’s Nicaragua Mission, headquartered in Managua. Close to 3,000 students attend 25 Adventist-run primary and secondary schools in Nicaragua.
There are roughly 62,000 Adventists in Nicaragua, a country with a population of about 3.2 million.