VYPE: How did you become interested in joining the academic team, and what motivated you to participate?

Addison Williams: I became interested thanks to another member of the team named Courtney. She’s one of my best friends. She has band with me, and she would always talk about how fun and exciting it was to go all over Oklahoma to compete. Once I met the other future members, I knew it was for me.
VYPE: Can you tell us about a memorable experience or achievement you’ve had while being part of the academic team?

AW: Not only have we gotten third in regionals, but we’ve encouraged others to have fun and open up. They helped me conquer my fear of speaking up by encouraging me to answer during matches.
VYPE: What subjects or topics do you enjoy the most in academic competitions, and why?

AW: I love science and Greek history questions. Every question is a challenging puzzle to solve, and we only get ten seconds. I’ve even memorized the elements of the periodic table, which definitely come in handy during competitions.
VYPE: How do you prepare for academic competitions? Are there any specific study strategies or routines you follow?

AW: On the car ride up, we play trivia games to wake our brains up. Sometimes we ask questions from previous years, so we know what material we’ll likely be dealing with. We also usually go somewhere fun before competitions to unwind like arcades and escape rooms. 
VYPE: In what ways has being a part of the academic team contributed to your personal and academic growth?

AW: I’ve seen my grades and confidence improve since joining. I’m no longer afraid to raise my hand when I know the answer in class. I’ve become more social with those around me, even my mom has talked about how I spend more time around people during gatherings.
VYPE: Can you share a challenging moment you faced during a competition and how you overcame it?

AW: During our district rounds this year on our very last match, we were up against Stilwell. When it came to the end, both teams were tied, so we went into sudden death. I answered the question correctly, which thankfully took us to regionals.
VYPE: How do you balance your academic team commitments with your other school activities and responsibilities?

AW: I’m also in band, which has practice on the same day as quiz bowl. I took time switching between both to respect each commitment. Everything worked out in the end and band even went to state.
VYPE: What advice would you give to students who are considering joining the academic team or getting involved in similar extracurricular activities?

AW: Go for it! You only get four years in high school; you should get involved and make the most of it. I’ve never regretted joining any of the organizations I’m involved in.
VYPE: What are your plans after high school?

AW: I haven’t quite made my mind up yet. I do know that I plan on going to a four-year college to learn about culinary arts or graphic design and animation. I want to be able to create something people enjoy, something that makes them happy.