For Ben Mugrage, mathematics isn’t just a subject—it’s a language, a puzzle, and a never-ending journey of discovery.

“I’ve taken almost every math class this school offers,” he said, a touch of amusement in his voice. “I think I’m only missing one.”

Which one?

“Financial math,” he admitted with a laugh. “I guess I’m slacking a little bit.”

But that one omission hardly diminishes his impressive academic path.

As a senior at Byron High School, Ben has tackled courses from Algebra 2 Accelerated as a freshman to AP Calculus BC and AP Statistics in his final year.

And while most students find calculus daunting, Ben?

“It’s a really good time.”

Not everyone would say that, but then again, Ben isn’t like everyone else.

A Path Built on Hard Work and Curiosity

Ben’s academic journey has been shaped by rigor, persistence, and teachers who challenged him to grow.

His first real test came in Mr. Boyer’s Algebra 2 Accelerated class as a freshman.

“That class was hard,” Ben admitted. “All of his classes are. But looking back, I loved it. He prepares you. When I took the AP Calc test, it felt easier than our final.”

The structured challenge of math and problem-solving became something Ben thrived on. It’s what pushed him to take AP Calculus as a junior and continue on to AP Calc BC and Statistics his senior year.

But he doesn’t just excel at math—he teaches it, too.

The Mentor Who Helps Others Succeed

Ben isn’t just passionate about learning—he loves helping others learn, too.

“I tutor a lot,” he said. “It started with helping classmates in AP Calc, but now I also tutor through National Honor Society and privately.”

Whether it’s working with peers struggling in calculus or younger students learning algebra, Ben enjoys watching the moment when a difficult concept clicks.

“I love that feeling,” he said. “When someone who’s been struggling finally gets it, and you can see that sense of accomplishment on their face.”

That love of teaching is leading him toward his future goal:

Becoming a professor.

The Road Ahead: Teaching at the Collegiate Level

Ben has big plans for his next academic journey.

He is currently choosing between the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and the University of Illinois, where he plans to earn a doctorate and become a mathematics professor.

“I love teaching,” he said. “I already do it for fun—I figure I might as well make a career out of it.”

Despite his incredible academic achievements—including a 4.11 weighted GPA—his college journey hasn’t been without surprises.

He applied to UW-Madison, only to be deferred, an outcome that caught him off guard.

“They looked at my GPA and were like, ‘No thanks.’” he joked.

But rejection doesn’t phase him.

“Honestly, it just reinforced how competitive college admissions are,” he said. “But I know I’ll land where I’m meant to be.”

Lifelong Learning and the Joy of the Pursuit

For Ben, math isn’t about utility—it’s about enjoyment.

When asked why advanced math is important in the world, he gave a refreshingly honest answer:

“It isn’t.”

He clarified:

“Not everyone needs calculus in their daily life. My dad’s an engineer, and even he doesn’t use calculus much—he lets the computer do the work.”

But for Ben, learning isn’t about necessity—it’s about the challenge itself.

“There’s nothing greater than learning something new and mastering something that once seemed impossible,” he said. “That’s the reward.”

For Ben Mugrage, the pursuit of knowledge isn’t a means to an end—it’s the best part of the journey.

And wherever that journey takes him, he’s sure to leave an impact on every student he teaches along the way.