Pranay Varada

Born and raised in Irving, Texas (the thirteenth largest city in the state), Pranay Varada is a student at the School of Science and Engineering in Dallas. In May 2017, Varada was declared the champion of the 29th National Geographic Bee, the result of five years of hard work and dedication. Varada beat out 2.6 million competitors from around the country to win a $50,000 scholarship, a trip to the Gal�pagos Islands, and a lifetime membership to the National Geographic Society. Following his...See more

Born and raised in Irving, Texas (the thirteenth largest city in the state), Pranay Varada is a student at the School of Science and Engineering in Dallas. In May 2017, Varada was declared the champion of the 29th National Geographic Bee, the result of five years of hard work and dedication. Varada beat out 2.6 million competitors from around the country to win a $50,000 scholarship, a trip to the Gal�pagos Islands, and a lifetime membership to the National Geographic Society. Following his victory, Varada was presented with a proclamation from the City of Irving and a letter from Senator John Cornyn, recognized by Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas State Board of Education, and given the opportunity to meet the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in Washington, D.C. Varada has been learning classical music since the age of four, and, in his free time, is an avid composer of music for the piano and various other instruments. See less