Whether he is competing in an Academic Bowl match, working through college coursework or traveling halfway around the world, Hugo High School senior Derek Frost has made the most of opportunities to learn, compete and experience something new.
Frost is concurrently enrolled at Murray State College and has been part of Hugo’s Academic Bowl program since intermediate school. He has served as captain of the high school team for the past two years and previously spent two years in Hugo’s E-sports program before stepping away to focus on his college classes.
Some of Frost’s proudest accomplishments have come through state curriculum contests, where he has earned top-10 medals in psychology, geography and world history.
“Academic Bowl has taught me not to second-guess myself,” Frost said. “There have been countless times when going with my gut would have led to the correct answer.”
That lesson has followed him outside competition. Frost said he has become more spontaneous with everyday decisions instead of overthinking them.
Teachers Brenda Blankenship and Marilyn Krause have been important parts of his academic experience. Blankenship has taught Frost math at both the high school and college levels while coaching Academic Bowl and coordinating curriculum contests. Krause, his math and chemistry teacher, has helped him narrow down possible college majors while giving him a place to concentrate on his college coursework.
Frost has also found motivation from his brother, Trevor, who joined Academic Bowl a few years ago.
“His joining a few years ago added an extra incentive to succeed that only a sibling rivalry could spark,” Frost said. “He’s following in my footsteps in a way, so I want to set a good example.”
Outside Academic Bowl, Frost is involved in Interact Club, National Honor Society and Hugo’s art program. A cat lover, he also plans to help a local animal rescue by taking an after-school shift feeding strays around town.
Travel has given Frost another kind of education. He has visited Morocco, Ireland, the United Kingdom, France and Poland, experiences that have allowed him to see places far beyond his hometown. Still, he appreciates Hugo for its small-town familiarity and having family nearby.
His parents have remained a constant source of support, especially during difficult moments, while his grandfather, Tom, gave him advice that has stayed with him.
“With a calm and steady voice, he has always said, ‘This too shall pass,’” Frost said.
As Frost finishes his senior year and considers what comes after Hugo, that reminder fits the approach he has developed through competition, school and life: trust what you know, keep moving forward and don’t let one difficult moment become bigger than what comes next.
