Molleti travels to Iceland in Nat Geo Mundo contest

MADISON – Madhuri Molleti of Madison has won the 2017 National Geographic Mundo Explorer Competition and will travel to Iceland.

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. They will go into the field with Nat Geo photographers, scientists and writers.

Alabama has been home to three U.S. Nat Geo winners in two years, and two of these winners are from Madison. Ethan Smyth of Madison traveled in Peru during summer 2016.

Molleti will travel to Iceland this summer on a 15-day expedition, joining other students to explore the subarctic island nation and learn the basics of climate change.

“For two consecutive years, a student from Madison has been afforded this wonderful honor. This is just another opportunity for us to show the world what we already know,” Madison Mayor Paul Finley said. “The City of Madison produces some of the most impressive students in the world.”

“Madison is proud of Madhuri and her accomplishments and delighted she has this incredible opportunity through DIRECTV and Nat Geo Mundo,” Finley said.

DIRECTV, part of the AT&T family, and Nat Geo Mundo sponsor the competition.

At James Clemens, Molleti enrolls in advanced-placement courses and is a member of National Honor Society. She plans to apply her leadership skills and enthusiasm to her on-assignment project and to use this experience as the ultimate catalyst for growth, Nat Geo sources said.

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

With a financial commitment of $400 million since 2008, AT&T is leveraging technology, relationships and social innovation to help all students to realize their biggest dreams.

Launched in 2011, the Nat Geo Mundo channel features inspirational programming and an innovative mix of drama and action series, focused on entertaining U.S. Latino audiences.

For more information, natgeomundo.com.