Digital Scrapbook: Varun Puri

Varun Puri was another one of my friends from high school. This kid was hella-smart. I met Varun in Boy Scouts (Troop 21). We also ran track together and bowled for knowledge. Varun was a National Merit Scholar and won every scholastic and smart person award at Apollo High School. He was also meticulously neat and had people clean their shoes before riding in his car.


After high school Varun went to the Air Force Academy where he continued his academic dominance. The following appeared in the St. Cloud Times.

Varun Puri
Air Force Academy

Apollo Grad Honored
By Rene Kaluza
Times Staff Writer

A St. Cloud man will receive a national aviation and aerospace magazine's top award tonight in ceremonies at the Smithsonian Institution's Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

Varun Puri, 22, son of Vijay and Usha Puri, St. Cloud, will be one of 11 individuals, companies or agencies honored at Aviation Week and Space Technology magazine's 38th annual awards.

Puri, 22, was selected as the top cadet from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He graduated from Apollo High School in 1991 and will graduate third in his class this spring from the academy.

The magazine's Laurel Award recognizes outstanding individuals and companies in the aviation and aerospace technology industry. In addition, a top aviation student from each of the nation's four military academies is selected to receive the award.

Puri was selected for the honor by Air Force Academy instructors. Selection was based on class rank, leadership qualities and concentration on aviation or aerospace studies.

Vijay Puri said his son has earned a spot in the Air Force's pilot training but may delay the training until he earns a master's degree, most likely at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Varun Purl became interested in aviation during high school earning his pilot's license and the rank of commander in the Civil Air Patrol, Vijay Puri said.

Vijay said he and his wife will not attend tonight's ceremonies but they will be thinking of their son as he stands among some of the top officials in the aviation and aerospace industries. "We are very proud of him," Vijay said.