WASHINGTON (TIP): Indian American student Madhuri Molleti of Madison has won the 2017 National Geographic Mundo Explorer Competition and embarked on a travel to Iceland.

DIRECTV and Nat Geo Mundo recently announced the 2017 winner of the Nat Geo Mundo Explorer competition – a unique travel program offering students the opportunity to go into the field with National Geographic photographers, scientists and writers. The competition was created to provide four deserving students (two from the United States and two from Latin America) the opportunity to explore the subarctic island nation of Iceland and learn the basics of climate change.

Molleti, a student at James Clemens High School, is one of four teenagers from the United States and Latin America who won access to this unique travel program with all expenses paid. She left last week with a National Geographic team on a 15-day expedition to Iceland, joining other students to explore the subarctic island nation and learn the basics of climate change with Nat Geo photographers, scientists and writers.

Their travels will include visits to Iceland’s geothermal features, its rugged coast, its glacier-rich Vatnajokull National Park, and other stops that include basalt columns, black sand beaches, wildlife sanctuaries, volcanic features, forests, waterfalls and fishing villages.

 “DIRECTV and AT&T are proud to support programs that empower students and provide unique learning opportunities,” said Dave Hargrove, AT&T Regional Director of External Affairs. “It’s exciting to play a part in offering students like Madhurri a chance to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we look forward to learning about her adventures later this summer.” 

Madhuri was an AP student and member of the National Honor Society at James Clemens. She plans to attend UAB to study public health in fall. Her parents are Raju and Padma Molleti.