A Voorhees resident is making headlines on the national stage.
Trishob Thigulla, a 12-year-old academic standout at Osage Elementary School, clinched first place at the 2025 National Geography Bee last month in Orlando, Florida, his second consecutive win. He also took second in the history bee and third in the national history bee, and was named an outstanding delegate for the model U.N.
Behind the awards is a family whose shared support, humility and appreciation for learning have been the foundation of the youth’s journey.
“It’s hard to put into words,” said Trishob’s mother, Sravani. “It’s a mix of pride, joy and immense gratitude. Watching him shine nationally, not just once but twice, is incredibly fulfilling.”
“We’re proud, of course,” added her husband, Sanjay, “but what moves us most is that everything he does stems from pure curiosity and self-motivation. It’s not just about the medals, it’s about his love for learning.”
Both Sravani and Sanjay remember the early signs that geography and history were more than passing interests for their son.
“By age 3, he was obsessed with maps,” Sravani recalled. “He’d use Google Maps to explore airports and neighborhoods, and by age 5, he could recite full addresses.”
“He’d choose atlases and history books from the library on his own,” Sanjay remembered. “He’d spend hours reading about countries, continents and timelines on Wikipedia just for fun.”
The Thigullas knew it wasn’t just a phase. Trishob’s study habits are entirely self-directed, something his parents emphasized, and his learning has always been an extension of his curiosity, the couple agreed, not something scheduled or imposed.
“We try to maintain a balanced, flexible daily routine,” explained Sravani, who coordinates her son’s schedule. “After school, he finishes homework and naturally shifts to exploring topics he’s interested in: geography, history or world affairs.”
“We’ve never had to push him,” Sanjay noted. “Closer to competitions, we’ll have fun quiz nights or review favorite books, but it’s never stressful. He thrives in an environment where learning is play.”
The Thigullas work as a team, each playing a different role in supporting Trishob’s academic and personal growth.
“I focus on creating the structure,” Sravani pointed out. “I make sure there’s a healthy balance between academics, rest, extracurriculars and downtime.”
Though mostly self-taught, Trishob has benefited greatly from the positive reinforcement of educators, with teachers from kindergarten on who’ve celebrated his enthusiasm,” the couple said.
Despite his academic accomplishments, Trishob maintains a full life outside of competitions.
“He’s passionate about music and dance,” Sravani shared. “He takes Carnatic vocal lessons – a classical tradition that originated in South India – loves Bollywood dance and even his music teacher praises his vocal talent.”
“He’s also teaching himself German through Duolingo,” added Sanjay, smiling. “He’s fascinated by languages; it’s his way of connecting with the world.”
The couple also spoke about Trishob’s close relationship with his younger brother.
“They have a beautiful bond,” Sravani said. “They play together every day, and it’s heartwarming to see Trishob include and inspire his sibling in his learning adventures.”
The prodigys’s journey has shaped his entire family.
“It’s been deeply rewarding,” Sanjay observed. “One of the few challenges is time management -he juggles so many interests – but seeing his joy makes it worthwhile.”
“What surprises us most is his independence,” Sravani added. “We never have to remind him to prepare; he’s internally driven. We just support the journey.”
When asked about the future, Sravani and Sanjay said they’re keeping things open-ended, but the signs are promising.
“He’s starting to get interested in world affairs,” Sanjay noted. “It wouldn’t surprise us if he pursues something like international relations or public policy someday.”
“We’ll continue to support him in whatever path he chooses,” said Sravani. “What matters is that he follows his heart.”
They also offered advice for other parents.
“Don’t push. Observe and nurture what excites your child,” they advised. “Let curiosity lead the way. Provide resources and encouragement, but avoid comparison or pressure. Learning should always be joyful.”
At the heart of it all, Trishob is not just an exceptional scholar—but a thoughtful, humble, and grounded child.
“He handles pressure with incredible calm,” Sravani said. “Last year, even after getting a few answers wrong, he remained composed. Several parents came up to us afterward, moved by how gracefully he carried himself.”
“That quiet confidence—that’s what we’re most proud of,” Sanjay added. “Whether it’s on stage or at home, his warmth and humility define who he is.”
The Thigullas emphasized that beneath the titles and trophies, their son is someone who brings light to every space he enters—with curiosity, compassion, and a song in his heart.
