Wright City High School senior Florian Muller-Williams is a student who likes to take on challenges. On top of being at the head of his academic class and taking advanced courses, Muller-Williams plays in multiple sports and plays trombone in the high school band and jazz band.

“I like to stay busy,” Muller-Williams comments.

For this student, being challenged is much better than being bored. His academic interests are in science and math. Muller-Williams is currently enrolled in Advance Placement calculus and AP government, and has an online dual enrollment with Missouri Southern State University for biology and English courses.

“I’m trying to get the classes that most colleges would require out of the way,” he explained.

Q: Is there a particular area of math and science you’re interested in?

“My favorite science class I took was physics. ... It’s revealing the secrets of the universe. It’s cool.”

Q: Is there another class that you enjoy most?

“Probably band. At the rehearsals and competitions are really good moments.

“The band here is like a family. There’s that bond that makes it so much better.”

Q: Have any classes been a significant challenge?

“Principles of engineering has been the most challenging I took. ... The logic of it was just not clicking (in one unit).”

Q: How did you get past that challenge?

“I asked the teacher a lot of questions. You can never go wrong with a question.

Q: What other school activities are you involved in?

“I do soccer and cross county, and NHS (National Honor Society). Then I do track in spring.

Q: How do you balance your time between school and activities?

“A lot of times I’ll do my homework on the bus to the sports competitions. Sometimes I’ll have to just stay up a little later.

“I try to be good with my time management. I keep track of everything I do in the day, so I know when I have a slot to get work done.”

Q: Who has helped you to be a good student or athlete?

“Mr. (Billy) Garrett, the cross country coach, taught me how to push myself.

Q: What are your plans after high school?

“I’m thinking about going into an engineering field. I’m not sure which one. But it just seems really interesting to me. Not a lot of the classes I’ve taken have been able to challenge me as much as the engineering one, so I’m pulled to it because of the challenge that it gave.”

Q: Any advice you would give to younger students?

“If you don’t understand something, you shouldn’t be scared to ask a questions. Because if you miss a step in the process, then it can affect you the whole way through high school.”

Favorite show: The Office

Favorite musician: Blazhevich (a trombone composer)

Favorite Food: Pizza

Favorite Destination: Italy