Mt. Hebron HS Teams Win National Economics Challenge

June 12th, 2024

(L to R: MHHS National Economic Challenge Coach Vann W. Prime, junior Mehin Pandya, seniors Nandhu Manoj Pillai, Diego Salamanca Murphy, Praneeth Idamakanti, and sophomores Aarush Kejriwal, Vishva Rao, Joseph Jeong, and Gabe Venginickal)

For the fourth time in six years, Mt. Hebron High School’s (MHHS) two economics teams swept the 2024 National Economics Challenge (NEC), the country’s premier competition in academic economics. MHHS’ teams also beat teams from China, enabling them to secure the world championship title for the seventh time.

Mt. Hebron juniors Joseph Jeong, Aarush Kejriwal, Vishva Rao, and Gabe Venginickal won the lower division after performing in the top four in the initial round of the national competition.

In the upper division—reserved for advanced placement, baccalaureate, honors students, and returning NEC competitors—MHHS seniors Praneeth Idamakanti, Nandhu Pillai, Diego Salamanca Murphy, and junior Mehin Pandya defeated some of America’s elite schools in a tense battle that went nearly to the last question.

To date, Mt. Hebron’s economics teams have won a total of 21 Maryland state championships, made 14 national final appearances, and taken home nine national championships, the highest number of national titles in the NEC’s 22-year history.

CNBC’s Steve Liesman interviewed MHHS’ winning upper division team. CNBC also live-streamed the final rounds of the 2024 NEC, which can be viewed online.