Durant High School’s Caden Mussett
Senior Caden Mussett has spent four years buzzing in answers and building friendships on the Durant High School Academic Team, and he would gladly sign up for four more if he could. The senior says the program has given him both competition and community during his time at Durant.
Mussett, a member of the Durant Academic Team since his freshman year, said he was drawn in by the challenge of quick recall matches and the camaraderie that forms on long practice days. “I have been a part of Durant’s Academic Team for all four years I’ve been in high school, and would stay longer if I could,” Mussett said. “I not only enjoy participating in Academic Team matches but I also enjoy hanging out with the team.”
That combination of competition and connection shows up when Mussett talks about his favorite opponents. He said he always circles the match with Lone Grove on the schedule. “I always look forward to playing against Lone Grove because we usually do so early on and they always give us a run for our money,” Mussett said.
Mussett credits his parents for helping shape the work ethic and attitude he brings to the buzzer. “My parents are a big inspiration for me,” he said. “They’re both kind and successful people.” That example, he added, has pushed him to take on challenges in the classroom and beyond.
In the classroom, Mussett’s favorite subject has taken him from textbooks to the hangar. He said his top class at Durant has been Aviation, where students are currently building a Vans RV-12 aircraft under the direction of Dr. Morgan. Mussett is also part of the Durant Aviation Program, balancing his time between the academic team and the hands-on work of assembling an actual plane.
Away from competition and class, Mussett said he leans into his “nerdy” side. “In my free time I often do anything considered nerdy, from video games to playing Dungeons and Dragons,” he said.
On a team full of strong students, one teammate has left a lasting impression on Mussett. He pointed to Jolie McWilliams for her impact on and off the buzzer. “The teammate who’s left the biggest impression on me is Jolie McWilliams, a funny, kind, and overall fantastic individual,” Mussett said.
As graduation approaches, Mussett is already preparing for his next chapter in the air. He has been accepted into Southeastern’s Professional Pilot Program and plans to become an airline pilot. Whether he is in the quiz bowl room or the cockpit, Mussett said the lessons learned at Durant will continue to guide him.
