Franklin County Schools (FCS) is celebrating a historic milestone following the Future Problem Solving Program International Conference (IC) World Finals, held June 10-14 at Indiana University. Vibhav Gudapati, a Bridgeport Elementary 5th grader and rising 6th grader at Bondurant Middle School (BMS), placed second in the Junior Scenario Performance division. This marks the first time a Franklin County Schools student has placed at the World Finals.
This year, 11 countries and 33 states competed at the World Finals. Only the top three finishers in each category receive recognition and the title of “World Champion.”
“We are incredibly proud of Vibhav Gudapati and this historic accomplishment on the international stage. Earning second place at the Future Problem Solving World Finals is an extraordinary achievement and a reflection of Vibhav’s creativity, preparation, and commitment to excellence,” said Enoch Welch, Bondurant Middle School Principal. “I also want to recognize and thank Coach Tammy Baker for the dedication, leadership, and countless hours she invests in our students. Achievements like this do not happen by accident—they are built through meaningful relationships, high expectations, and a culture that encourages students to think critically and challenge themselves. This recognition is not only a proud moment for Vibhav and Coach Baker, but for our entire school community. We look forward to supporting Vibhav and all of our Future Problem Solvers as they continue to reach new heights and represent Bondurant Middle School and Franklin County Schools with excellence.”
Vibhav’s second-place finish caps off a record-breaking year for FCS. This was the third consecutive year FCS students qualified for World Finals, with this year including its largest group of qualifiers from Bondurant Middle School and Western Hills High School.
To qualify for the international competition, students must place in the top two at the Kentucky Association for Academic Competition (KAAC). In the Scenario Performance component event, Vibhav Gudapati placed first and set a school record as the first top-place finisher in school and district history. His brother, Tanav Gudapati, a freshman at WHHS, also competed in Scenario Performance at the state finals and placed second. He set a milestone as the first student from WHHS to become eligible to compete in international championships and to receive a second-place award in any Future Problem Solving event.
The district also found immediate success in a brand-new category for the BMS team, consisting of fourth-ninth grade students. Competing at the State Finals in the Junior Community Problem Solving component event, the team received second place in the state for their “Calming Corner” project. The “Calming Corner,” designed at BMS, offers a safe, quiet space for students to pause, reset, and practice mindfulness before returning to their academic schedules. The qualifying team members include BMS sixth graders Arshia Shaik, Pragnya Dharanipragada, Grant Stapleton, and Miles Duff, alongside Vibhav Gudapati, Bridgeport Elementary fourth grader Arjun Chiluka, and Collins Lane Elementary fourth grader Tejas Dharanipragada.
“Our students have had incredible success on the state level, and we are proud to see them compete on an international stage,” said Tammy Baker, Future Problem Solvers Head Coach and Academic Team Assistant Coach. “We are very thankful for the encouragement and support of our families, past and present. We have the best students who are being raised by the best parents.”
This year’s success builds upon a strong foundation that began developing over the last two seasons. The district’s international streak launched in 2024, when local students earned the opportunity to compete at the world level in the Individual Future Problem Solving component event. The program expanded its reach even further in 2025, breaking school and district records at the state showcase and qualifying multiple students across several events, including Scenario Performance, Future Problem Solving Individuals, and the Multi-Affiliate Global Issues Competition.
The Future Problem Solving Program International Conference World Finals brings together over 2,000 champion problem solvers and supporters from around the world each year.
FCS is committed to providing high-quality education to students in Franklin County, Ky. For more information and news about FCS, visit our website and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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