September 2017 Resolution honoring the 2017 National Geographic Bee Winner
WHEREAS an understanding of the world around us has always been important and necessary knowledge for an educated citizenry; and
WHEREAS the study of land and culture have long been important to Texans because of the state’s own vast and storied history; and
WHEREAS a young Texan has again demonstrated superior knowledge of geography by winning the 2017 National Geographic Bee; and
WHEREAS Pranay Varada became fascinated with maps when just three years old; and
WHEREAS after diligent and dedicated study, Pranay Varada began to compete in geography bees; and
WHEREAS 2.6 million students nationwide competed in the 2017 geography bee; and
WHEREAS the event came down to a tense verbal dual between Pranay Varada, then an eighth-grade student in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District, and a Wisconsin student; and
WHEREAS the contest moved into a sudden-death play-off with Pranay Varada winning the first tie-breaker question by correctly identifying the Kunlun Mountains as the 1,200-mile range that separates the Taklimakan Desert from the Tibetan Plateau; and
WHEREAS this victory earned Pranay Varada the satisfaction of a job well done, as well as a $50,000 scholarship, a trip to the Galapagos Islands and a lifetime membership in the National Geographic Society; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the State Board of Education congratulate Pranay Varada on his studious habits, his worldly knowledge, his persistence and his national championship; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be included in the permanent records of the State Board of Education.
WITNESS our signatures this fifteenth day of September, two thousand seventeen, in Austin, Texas.
______________________________
Donna Bahorich, Chair
______________________________
Ruben Cortez, Jr., Secretary
WHEREAS the study of land and culture have long been important to Texans because of the state’s own vast and storied history; and
WHEREAS a young Texan has again demonstrated superior knowledge of geography by winning the 2017 National Geographic Bee; and
WHEREAS Pranay Varada became fascinated with maps when just three years old; and
WHEREAS after diligent and dedicated study, Pranay Varada began to compete in geography bees; and
WHEREAS 2.6 million students nationwide competed in the 2017 geography bee; and
WHEREAS the event came down to a tense verbal dual between Pranay Varada, then an eighth-grade student in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District, and a Wisconsin student; and
WHEREAS the contest moved into a sudden-death play-off with Pranay Varada winning the first tie-breaker question by correctly identifying the Kunlun Mountains as the 1,200-mile range that separates the Taklimakan Desert from the Tibetan Plateau; and
WHEREAS this victory earned Pranay Varada the satisfaction of a job well done, as well as a $50,000 scholarship, a trip to the Galapagos Islands and a lifetime membership in the National Geographic Society; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the State Board of Education congratulate Pranay Varada on his studious habits, his worldly knowledge, his persistence and his national championship; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be included in the permanent records of the State Board of Education.
WITNESS our signatures this fifteenth day of September, two thousand seventeen, in Austin, Texas.
______________________________
Donna Bahorich, Chair
______________________________
Ruben Cortez, Jr., Secretary