Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
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Directors
Akhil Rekulapelli - 2014 Nat Geo National Champion
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As Coach Kumar's student, Akhil Rekulapelli was the 2013 and 2014 Virginia State Champion, as well as the 2014 National Champion. He is currently a third-year studying Biology at the University of Virginia. He is excited to see the GeoEd Foundation grow, and hopes to see it reach more and more people and spread awareness about geography, especially in underserved populations.
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"There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.” - Derek Jeter
Shriya Yarlagadda - 2015 Nat Geo National Runnerup
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Shriya is a Sophomore at Harvard University majoring in Government and Data Sciences. Since becoming the National Runner-Up of the National Geographic Bee in 2015, she has worked with dozens of students, parents, and mentors as a Director of the GeoEd foundation. Outside of GeoEd, Shriya is the captain of her school's Varsity Quiz Bowl team, lead attorney of its Mock Trial team, incoming President of its Model UN club and the Blood Drive Chair of its National Honor Society chapter. She also enjoys being an engaged member of her community by sitting on the Board of Trustees of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint and promoting civic engagement throughout the state of Michigan. In her free time, Shriya enjoys reading, listening to music, and eating Chipotle. She is excited to continue to connect with the foundation's members to further promote geographic literacy.
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"You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” - Jane Goodall
Anoushka Buddhikot - 2018 Nat Geo National Runnerup
Anoushka Buddhikot was the 2018 New Jersey State Champion and the 2018 National Geographic runner-up. She is a five time New Jersey state qualifier and a long-time participant in North South Foundation Science and Geography bees. She is currently a high school student at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, where she is a member of several clubs, including Science Bowl, Future Health Professionals (HOSA), and Science Olympiad. Her hobbies include playing the violin, reading, and listening to music. She is an advocate for geographic awareness and hopes to reach a diverse range of people through her activities within the GeoEd Foundation.
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"I attempt an arduous task; but there is no worth in that which is not a difficult achievement.” - Ovid
Atreya Mallanna - 2019 Nat Geo National Runnerup
Atreya Mallanna is a rising freshman at Lexington High School in Lexington, Massachusetts. He was the runner-up of the 2019 National Geographic Bee, and has continued to utilize his passion for the field through contributing towards the GeoEd Foundation’s mission. In addition, he is a two time National Geographic Bee state champion and has also won the junior and senior NSF National Geography Bees. Apart from geography, Atreya plays in competitive soccer leagues and loves to play cricket, participate in buzzer-based competitions such as Science Bowl, and listen to music. He is excited to have this opportunity to spread geographic literacy through the GeoEd Foundation.
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"Never say never because limits, like fears, are often just illusions." - Michael Jordan
Pranav Kanmadikar - 2015 Nat Geo Kentucky State Champion
Pranav Kanmadikar is a rising freshman at Dartmouth College who is interested in teaching geography in a holistic manner. He started his GeoBee career in sixth grade, during which he placed 1st at the Kentucky State Championships. As one of Coach Kumar's students between 2015 and 2017, he then placed 2nd at the state level during his eighth grade year. He has also participated and placed in a host of other Geography competitions, including NSF and the International Geography Bee. He began his work with the GeoEd Foundation during his freshman year of high school and has since served as both a mentor and Course Coordinator. Outside of geography, he has been involved in environmental initiatives, social justice advocacy/activism, and scientific research. He is excited to now be a Director of the Foundation, a position through which he will be able to continue instructing, managing, collaborating, and leading to advance geographic education.
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"The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine" - Mike Murdock
Aditya Narayanan - 2017-2019 Arizona & Tennessee State Champion
Aditya is a three-time National Geographic Bee state champion from Arizona and Tennessee. He furthered his passion for geography by participating in the NSF National Geography Bee and United States Geographic Championships and volunteering with the Geoed Organization. Currently, he is a sophomore at William T. Dwyer High School in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and is enrolled in the demanding IB program. He is involved in a variety of clubs, like Math Honor Society, Students Against Melanoma, Multicultural Club, and Speech and Debate Club. Aside from academics, he enjoys playing the violin, listening to the latest music hits, going on bike rides, and travelling around the world!
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"Nothing can dim the light that shines from within." - Maya Angelou
Aadi Gadekar - 2022 International Geography Bee USA JV Champion
Aadi Gadekar is a junior in the Academy for Health Care Sciences at the Morris County School of Technology in New Jersey. Aadi is the 2022 Champion of the International Geography Championship in the High School Division. Aadi’s favorite part about geography is learning about the culture and the lifestyles of different people. Aadi holds leadership positions in clubs such as Model United Nations and his school’s Multicultural club and spends time volunteering at a local nursing home and on his town’s volunteer ambulance squad. In his free time, Aadi enjoys learning new languages, jogging, and spending time with friends and family.
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“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is not an act, but a habit.” - Aristotle