14-year-old from DeWitt Perry Middle School, Pranay Varada of Irving, Texas, clinched the 2017 champion at the 29th annual National Geographic Bee held on May 17, at National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C. Another 14-year-old Thomas Wright of Mequon, Wisconsin, an eighth-grader at University School of Milwaukee, took the lead, only to be challenged by Varada.
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Each Bee contestant was given one opportunity to challenge the answer to be determined by the judges. The question was “Mu Gia Pass, a strategic pass and a key point of entry to the Ho Chi Minh Trail, lies in what mountain range?” The judges decided to accept both answers: Annam and Annamite.
The sixth and final question, which clinched the win for Varada was: “What large mountain system that stretches more than 1,200 miles separates the Taklimakan Desert from the Tibetan Plateau?” Answer: “Kunlun Mountains”
“The last question was not difficult for me,” Varada said. But it was the end of a five-year journey, his mother Vasuki R. Kodaganti, said in a phone interview from the Washington, D.C. hotel where they were passing time before leaving for home in Texas the evening after the momentous win.
Varada’s feat carries even more weight knowing that almost 3 million students from 10,000 schools in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. Atlantic and Pacific territories and Department of Defense Dependents Schools took part in the 2017 National Geographic Bee. Getting through the state-level Geography Bee was even tougher, with 69 rounds.
“But it was a do-or-die situation since he is in 8th Grade and his last chance,” Kodaganti said. “And we are really happy and proud. He worked really hard, planned things, knew his weaker areas and covered the loopholes.”
Varada received a $50,000 college scholarship and a lifetime membership in the National Geographic Society. Varada will travel, all expenses paid, on a Lindblad expedition to the Galápagos Islands aboard the new National Geographic Endeavour ll.
In his future, he says he will “probably do something in Math or Science.” But for now – “I will do music related things. Music is my passion,” said the 14-year old.
The third place in the Bee was also won by an Indian-American – Veda Bhattaram of Pine Brook, New Jersey, a 13-year-old seventh-grader at Robert R. Lazar Middle School.
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Second and third place finishers received $25,000 and $10,000 college scholarships, respectively. Indian-Americans have dominated the National Geographic Bee just as they have the National Spelling Bee. Last year Rishi Nair of Seffner, Florida, a 12-year-old sixth-grader at Williams Magnet Middle School, took top honors.
“The National Geographic Bee shines a unique and fun light on geography and its importance to every one of us,” Gary E. Knell, president and CEO, National Geographic Society said in the press release. “I congratulate all of the 2017 National Geographic Bee participants and thank their parents and teachers for the encouragement they provided along the way.”
By Premji
