Caden Mussett, a sophomore at Durant High School, finds himself deeply immersed in the world of academic competitions. Reflecting on his journey, he shared, “My friend was a part of it, and I really enjoyed it, so I stuck with it,” underlining the influence of camaraderie and intellectual stimulation that drew him to the team.
Recalling memorable moments, Caden had many to choose from, but one was prominent: “My favorite game I played was when I answered five questions correctly, two of which were in a row, or when my team and I swept a lightning round with a perfect score.”
Discussing preferred topics, Caden’s enthusiasm shines through as he shared his interests. “My favorite topic has to be mythology, specifically Greek mythology, which I have always been obsessed with, as well as chemistry,” he said.
Preparing for competitions involves rigorous practice and study sessions, as Caden notes, “We work on a practice game or two, as well as study recent events,” showcasing the team’s commitment to readiness and collaboration.
Navigating challenges with resilience, Caden remembered setbacks in his quizzes. “Probably one of the most challenging moments in any game I’ve participated in was when we were tied in the final quarter and had to go through ten extra questions before we unfortunately lost,” he said, illustrating the intensity and unpredictability of academic competitions.
Balancing commitments proves to be a learning curve for Caden, though he prioritizes. “I am admittedly not great at balancing my time and did regrettably have to give up on E-Sports to have time to do academic team and other things,” he said.
Offering advice to newcomers, Caden offers important advice: “I would tell anyone interested in joining the academic team to at least attend two practice games,” he said, emphasizing the importance of the exploration of new things.
Looking ahead, Caden envisions attending Southeastern University to pursue a career in aviation, symbolizing his aspirations to soar to new heights beyond high school.
In Caden Mussett, Durant High School finds a dedicated and intellectually curious student—an individual whose passion for learning and commitment to excellence embody the essence of academic exploration and growth.
