Eric Yang, the 13-year-old geography guru who won the National Geographic Bee, returned to school as a local celebrity May 26.

And fan fare was completely unexpected, Eric said.

Students at Griffin Middle School in The Colony crowded inside the main entrance chanting Eric’s name as the school orchestra, choir and cheerleaders started to perform.

“I was crying,” said Aileen Yang, Eric’s mom. “The whole school was there. It’s unbelievable, all these kids.”

Eric won a $25,000 college scholarship and a trip to the Galapagos Islands, and then appeared on NBC's Today Show the day after his victory. If you missed his winning moment, tune into KERA-TV, Channel 13, at 7 p.m. Thursday to see the rebroadcast of the final round.

“I was really surprised that I won,” Eric said. “I wasn’t thinking about winning when I came. I just wanted to have a good time.”

Principal Jeffrey Kajs said he honestly wasn’t surprised by Eric’s win.

“When we got the call from Washington, I got on the PA and made the announcement,” he said. “You could hear the whole building erupt with excitement.”

And the excitement hadn’t died down when Eric came back to school.

Kajs formally introduced Eric as the national champion and presented him with a plaque upon his return.

“We’re very proud of him and how he represented himself,” Kajs said later. “The way he carries himself and the recognition he brought to our school is outstanding.”

After the homecoming celebration, Eric talked with students and teachers, posed for photos and even signed an autograph.

But now that Eric is home, he’s got to get back in the swing of things, he said.

“I just have to get back in my normal routine again,” he said. “I have to get used to it again. I’m going to focus on swimming and basketball this summer.”

And, Eric said, he’s taking his island vacation sometime this summer, too.

And he said he just can’t wait.

“Right now, I don’t have to study anymore,” he said. “I’m kind of relieved. I’m going to relax and enjoy my summer.”

Lindsey Bever is a reporter with neighborsgo and can be reached at 972-436-5551 ext. 3004 or via e-mail at lbever@neighborsgo.com. If you have a story, photo or video you'd like to share, please post it directly on neighborsgo.com.