Senior Kenzie Hooser at Ada High School is a prime example of adaptability and commitment in the classroom, especially as a key player on the academic team.

Kenzie’s venture into the academic team was kindled by her innate competitiveness and a yearning for fresh challenges. Encouraged by her academic skill, she embraced the chance to test her knowledge and wit across a diverse array of subjects. “I have always been very competitive and wanted to participate in everything. Academic team was something that had been recommended that I try because of my performance in school, and I gave it a shot.”

One of Kenzie’s standout memories on the academic team was marked by unexpected humor and victory. She fondly recounts an instance when her teammate Tyler Cantrell secured a round by swiftly buzzing in with “Olivia Rodrigo,” a moment that left the team in uproarious laughter and triumphant celebration. “It was great to win, but we couldn’t stop laughing at how we won.”

In the realm of academic competitions, Kenzie finds her forte in subjects like English, grammar, literary terms and culinary terms. She acknowledges the significance of teamwork and regular practice sessions in refining their collective knowledge base: “As a team, we have weekly practices and go over past competitions question packets. The day before the competition I go over some on my own to be prepared.”

Participation in the academic team has imparted invaluable lessons to Kenzie about embracing individual strengths and acknowledging limitations. “The hardest moments are when you don’t get your specialized categories at the beginning and have to dig yourself out of a hole, but the round’s not over until it’s over.”

To aspiring academic team members, Kenzie extends words of encouragement, urging them not to be daunted by the prospect of joining. “When you think of an academic team, you think of smart people, but even someone who doesn’t usually do lots of academic things could do well because of the broadness of categories.”

Reflecting on her future aspirations, Kenzie Hooser envisions a path leading to higher education at the University of Oklahoma and a career in public administration and law, with a focus on immigration law. Her experiences in the academic team have provided valuable insights into her strengths and interests, shaping her professional trajectory beyond high school.